Stories of Indian chieftains. Part two

STORIES....
OF INDIAN
ii^CHIEFTAINS

MARY

HALL

HUSTED

Htxtt (BoUege of ^Agriculture

Sit (SorneU IniMeraitH
JItliara. N. f.

B Cornell University
B Library

The original of tliis book is in
tlie Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013973510

STORIES OF

Indian Chieftains

TWO.

BY

MARY HALL HUSTED

Author or Stories of Indian Children.

BLOOMINGTON, ILL.

PUBIilC-ScHOOI. PiTBLISHINQ CO.

1911

Copyright 1899

PuBiiic-SoHooi, Publishing Co.

BLOOMINGTON, ILL.

PREFACE.

HIS little book is intended to follow Stories of
Indian Children, as an introduction to the his-
tory of this country. In the Stories of Indian
Children, by the same author, an effort was made to
show the family life of the North American Indian
before the white man had discovered this continent.
The present volume shows the conflict between the
Indian and white man, both in war and in peace, dur-
ing the pioneer struggles in America. It begins with
the discovery by Columbus, and closes with a picture
of the Indian life of to-day. It is preparatory to a
more extended history of pioneer life as set forth in
McMurry's Pioneer History Stories of the Mississippi
Valley, and in Pioneer Explorers by Land and Sea.
This book is adapted to the advancement of children
in the third and fourth year grades of schools.

One purpose of it is to awaken among the chil-
dren who read it, a sympathy for this dying race, and
a desire to promote their education and prosperity in
all ways that are practicable.

CONTENTS.

The Coming op Columbus

Queen Co-fa-chi'-qui . . . .

A Little Indian Princess

Samoset and Squantum . . , .

King Philip ....

The Great Treaty

Father Marquette

LaSalle, the Great Explorer

PONTiAC, the Friend of His Race

Logan, the White Man's Friend

A Shooting Star, Tecumseh

Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, Red Jacket

Black Hawk, Ma-ka-tac-mish-kia-kiak

Otjeay and Chipeta

Cornplanter, Gab-yan-wah-gah
Indians op To-day

Page
7

13

23

35

46

54

61

71

87

98

103

112

123

128

133

136

^TORIES OF Indian (^hieftains.

'RE my young
friends ready to
go on a long his-
tory journey with me?
Let us in our imagina-
tion hurry on board one
of those steamers now
leaving New York for
the south. We wave good-bye to our friends as
we slowly move from the wharf and watch with
ever renewed interest the throngs of busy people

THE COMING OF COLDMBDS.

8 Stories of Indian Ctiieftains.

and the receding forest of masts as we are towed
down the bay. In a short time we pass Sandy
Hook and are out on the broad Atlantic. .

Now take your maps and learn just where we
are going. We find it growing warmer as the
days go by, and we speed on to the south.
After passing Florida we soon come in sight of
a great many islands and it is on one of the
smallest of these that we will. land.

The air is filled' with a delicious fragrance, for
everywhere are lovely flowers. In the stately
palms are parrots, humming-birds, and many other
birds of bright plumage, and tall flarningoes stalk
along the shore.

It is not of this little island as it now appears
that I wish to tell you, but of the people who
lived here four hundred years ago, when the air
was as pure, the flowers were as fragrant, and
the palms as stately as they are today. But
then you would have found the native Indians
living here, contented in their simple homes,
free from care, and surrounded by all that was
necessary to make their lives happy.

Under the trees were, their bark houses. In
the clear streams, that came hurrying down the

The Coming of Columbus. g

mountain side, were abundant fish. In the groves
were many kinds of fruits, and a happier people
you could not find.

One morning they were startled by seeing a
great canoe, with wings, as they thought, not
very far from the land. They ran to and fro
in ^J£at excitement. But at last their curiosity
overcame their fear and they cautiously ap-
proached the shore.

Soon they saw a small boat coming toward
them, and men with pale faces landed on their
island. These simple people thought that these
were surely heavenly visitors. You remember the
legend of Hiawatha that foretold the coming of
the white man out of the land of th.e rising sun.

Seeing these strange visitors laughing and
talking together, the natives ventured nearer and
bid -them welcome. They brought presents of
fish and fruit.

You have probably guessed who were these
visitors. They were Christopher Columbus and
his followers, and the island was San Salvador. It
was the 12th of October, 1492. Such was the
welcome given to the first white people who
came to the New World.

lo Stories of Indian C/iieftains,

The next morning after the landing some of
the Indians went out to the ship, and they
wondered at all they saw. Columbus thought
he was in India, on the other side of the world,
and that is the reason he called the people
Indians. He explored the island and then vis-
ited others, finding them peopled with Indians
who were as gentle and kind as those of San
Salvador, but the people and wealth of India
he did not find.

On one of his excursions he discovered a
very large island with grand mountains, beautiful
valleys, and stately forests. This island was
called by the natives, Cuba.

Columbus said of it, "Cuba! It is the most
beautiful land eyes ever beheld!"

Christmas time brought sore grief to Colum-
bus. He came from Spain with three ships, but
one night, during a storm, the flagship Santa
Maria was wrecked on the shores of San Salva-
dor. Then one of his followers deserted with
the Pinta and its crew. This left him with one
small ship — the Nina.

Early Christmas morning Columbus sent word
to the Indian chief asking help to save the

The Coming of Columbus. 1 1

goods in the wrecked ship from being swept
into the water. The chief ordered his people
to go at once with canoes and help the strangers.

When Columbus returned to Spain, he left
some of his men on the island, now called
Hayti, where they built a fort with the timbers
from the wreck. Some of the Indians went to
Spain with him, where they received much curi-
ous attention from the Spaniards.

After many months, Columbus came back to
Hayti, only to find the fort destroyed, and the
Spaniards and Indians no longer friends. His
countrymen had been cruel to the Indians, treat-
ing them as slaves, and had destroyed their
happy homes.

When the Spanish ships returned home the
second time they carried a number of these
poor captives, who were sold into slavery. For
many years this same thing was repeated over
and over again, and the land where all had once
been so peaceful and happy was made desolate
by the cruelty of the white man.

The Indians were gentle and peaceable, but
they came, in time, to have a deep hatred for
those who had done them so grievous wrong and

12 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains,

they thirsted for revenge. The story of their
wrongs spread from village to village, not only
through these islands but it was carried to the
main land.

Is it 2Lny wonder that the white people were
not always welcomed by these «ed children of
the forest ?

It was probably intended that civilized men
should occupy this great country, cultivate its
fertile lands, navigate its lakes and rivers, build
cities, dig from the mines their wealth of coal
and metals, and build for themselves happy
homes; but surely this could have have been
done without treating the Indians so unjustly.

DESOTO AT THE MISSISSIPPI.

QUEEN CO-FA-CHI-QUI.

T T HAD been a very warm day in the Indian
I village on the banks of the Savannah river,
and everything had been quiet until the sun
began to sink in the west. Then a gentle breeze
came through the tops of the tall pine trees,
cooling the sultry air.

The Indians began to awake to life, and after
a simple meal of fruit, they gathered in groups

14 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

to listen to stories told by the old warriors.
The children and dogs were playing together on
the soft, green grass.

In front of a thatched cabin which was larger
than the others of the village, reclined a maiden
about eighteen years of age. She was dressed
like those about her, except that on her neck,
and arms, and ankles, were strings of beautiful
pearls. This was Co-fa-chi'-qui, queen of the
tribe.

Every one in the village seemed to be enjoy-
ing the bright moonlight under the soft starry
sky of that southern clime. The dogs alone
were restless, as if they scented approaching
danger.

As the moon rose higher, the children were
no longer heard, the groups separated, each one
going to his own wigwam, and the village slept.

While they sleep let us cross the river and
make our way into the deep forest where an
army of Spaniards led by the bold Ferdinand
DeSoto is also sleeping.

Eight ships carrying a large number of soldiers
had recently landed at Tampa Bay, on the Gulf
of Mexico. They wore gay uniforms and some

Queen Co-fa-chi'-qui. 15

rode horses with gHttering trappings. Others
were foot soldiers who drove before them two
hundred swine and other animals.

The long march began when they entered the
great forest of pine, cypress, and magnolia trees.
They came in time to an Indian village, but
were surprised to find no one at home. From
some Indians whom they met, they learned that
sometime before a roving band of Spaniards had
pursued, with bloodhounds, the mother of Ucita,
the chief of this village, and that she was torn
in pieces by them.

DeSoto desired to win the friendship of this
chief, and he sent him presents and kind words
but received no response. Again messages were
sent and at last came his answer:

"The memory of my injuries prevents me
from returning a kind reply, and your courtesy
will not allow me to return a harsh one."

The captain who was next in command was
offended that an Indian dared to reply to a
Spaniard on such terms of equality, and begged
DeSoto to let him pursue and capture the old
chief. De Soto consented, but Ucita hearing of his
intentions sent this message:

1 6 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains.

' 'You will only expose yourself to great peril
from rivers, swamps, and forests through which
you will have to pass to reach me. I do not
send you this warning from any fear on my own
account, but because your leader, DeSoto, has
done neither me nor my people any harm."

This captain was not afraid of rivers, swamps,
or forests, and he ordered the trumpets to sound
and the march to begin.

Leading his little company he came to a
great swamp. Putting spurs to his steed he
dashed into it, but soon his horse stumbled and fell.

The captain, entangled in the fall, could hardly
free himself. His horse floundering in the swamp
covered him with mud and water.

The soldiers, who were not at all sorry for
this boastful captain in his gay uniform, stood
on the bank and laughed at him while he
struggled in the mire, and at last succeeded in
getting to firm ground once more. He was so
angry and humiliated that he resigned his com-
mand in a short time and returned home to
Spain.

DeSoto and his army now pushed on through
the tangled forest, with the moss hanging from

Queen Co-fa-chi'-qui. 17

the cypress trees, and the undergrowth so dense
that it was very difficult to cut a way through it.

They passed several Indian villages, but the
houses were all deserted, the people having fled
to the forest. Whenever they chanced to cap-
ture any Indians they compelled them to carry
their burdens. They fought many battles, but
the Indians, having only bows and arrows, were
not able to withstand them.

At last the white men reached the Savannah
river one evening after dark and pitched their
camp upon its banks. The barking of dogs on
the opposite shore told them that an Indian
village was near.

Early the next morning a crowd of Indians
gathered on the opposite bank wondering at the
strange sight that greeted their eyes.

The interpreter called to them from across
the river: "We are friends. Send a messenger
to us ! "

After shouting this several times the Indians
understood and hastened to tell their queen.
It was decided to send six old chiefs. They
launched a large canoe and paddled rapidly
across the river.

1 8 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

"Do you come for peace or for war?" called
one of the chiefs as they neared the other bank.

"We come for peace," replied De Soto.

Leaving the canoe they were conducted to
the general. They bowed first to the sun, then
to the moon, then to DeSoto.

He then said, "I am your friend. I want to cross
the river with my companions. We have traveled
far and have httle food. We need much" corn."

"We have little corn," replied the chief, "for
there has been great sickness among us. But we
will tell our queen."

They returned to the village and informed
Co-fa-chi'-qui what the Spaniards demanded.

The queen wished to see them before con-
senting. Her palanquin was brought and she
was borne down to the riverside. She entered
her canoe and accompanied by a number of her
people in other canoes she crossed the river.

As the young queen stepped on shore the
Spaniards marked her grace and beauty and the
dignity with which she greeted the general.

DeSoto told her of his needs and the queen
offered to supply him with corn, and help him
to cross the river with his army.

Queen Co-fa-chi'-qui. 19

DeSoto then began to thank her for her kind-
ness, and while he was talking, Co-fa-chi'-qui took
off a long string of pearls which was wound several
times about her neck, and presented it to him.
The general then drew from his finger a beautiful
ring which he gave to this generous young queen.

By night the army wag encamped in the
village, where they all remained for several weeks.

The queen's mother was an old woman who
lived about forty miles down the river. DeSoto
wished to see her. Twelve chieftains were sent
to urge the mother to visit the Spaniards, and
see the strange animals they rode.

She refused to come, and expressed great
surprise that her daughter should allow these
strangers to enter her village.

DeSoto was now more anxious than ever to
meet her, and sent thirty soldiers to carry pres-
ents and to beg her to come.

The queen sent her cousin as a guide to her
retreat. He was a noble young man who was a
great favorite of both the queen and her mother.

It was a lovely morning when they started.
The birds were singing over their heads and
flowers were blooming everywhere.

20 Storks of Indian Chieftains.

At noon they stopped, to rest in the shade of
some tall poplar trees. The guide, who had
seemed so bright and cheerful, suddenly became
very silent. He leaned his head upon his hands
and sighed.

At length he began to draw his arrows from
his quiver. They were much admired by the
Spaniards. They found no two ahke, and all
were highly polished. While they were ex-
amining them, the Indian, taking one of the
sharpest, thrust it into his breast and fell dead.

This young man had been cared for by the
queen's mother, whom he greatly loved and rev-
erenced, and rather that show the Spaniards her
retreat he thus took his own life.

DeSoto now gave up trying to make friends
with the mother and she was left in peace. He
asked about gold but the Indians did not know
what he meant. When he explained that it was
a yellow metal, '.'Oh, yes," said the queen,
"we have plenty of that."

But when it was brought he. found that what
looked like gold, was mostly copper. The gen-
eral was bitterly disappointed, and decided to
march on farther to the west.

Queen Co-fa-chi'-qui. 21

The men of the army had treated the In-
dians harshly and they felt less friendly than at
first. As DeSoto needed guides, and wished to
get through the country without fighting, he
asked the queen to go with them, declaring that
it was necessary for her to go.

She made no reply, but when the time came
to start, she stepped into her palanquin and was
carried away from her home.

For two weeks she was thus borne along,
but one day as the men were marching through
a deep forest, the queen suddenly leaped from
her palanquin and disappeared in the dense
woods. She was never seen again by the cruel
Spaniards. Probably her warriors were not far
away, and she had planned with them to escape
at that place.

The army marched on and on, meeting many
hostile Indians and a few friendly ones. They
became more and more cruel, capturing Indians
for slaves, and if any resisted, setting the blood-
hounds upon them.

They had one dreadful battle called Mobila,
near the city now called Mobile, where many
Spaniards and many more Indians were killed.

2 2 Stories of Indian CIv'eftains.

They kept on their weary march through
almost impassable swamps, and thick forests, and
at last ca.me to a great river a mile and a half
wide. This was the mighty Mississippi, called
by the Indians, "The Father of Waters."

DeSoto was the first white man to discover
it, but he seemed to care little for great rivers.
He was searching only , for gold: But the find-
ing of this river was a far greater discovery
than it would have been to have discovered all
the gold in California.

After crossing the Mississippi they marched
far to the west. They found no gold and, sad
and disappointed, retraced their steps. The long
journey had broken the spirit of the once gay
DeSoto, and he now appeared old and feeble.

After a lingering illness he died and was
buried by his companions, who sunk his body
in the middle of the great river, which he had
been the first white man to see. DeSoto has
a name in history only because he discovered
the Mississippi river and found his grave in it.
Columbus was great because he sought to bene-
fit "his fellow men. DeSoto was contemptible
because he sought only for wealth for himself.

A Little Indiivi Princess.

23

A LITTLE INDIAN PRINCESS.

LONG time ago,
in the part of
our country
which is now
called Virginia, there
lived several tribes of Indians, and the king of
these tribes was Pow-hat'-an. He and his family
lived in a long house which was made some-
what like an arbor, and was covered with strips

24 Stories of Indian Ciiieftains.

of bark. Several families lived in one house and
each had its own firei so there would be as
many fires as there were families.

One cold, stormy night the warriors, squaws,
young, braves, and maidens were gathered about
the fires listening to stories. The children were
playing boisterously — some of them wrestling,
some racing with the dogs, while others were
turning sumersaults up and down the long pass-
age-way.

Suddenly the door opened and in rushed
Ra-bun'-ta, a runner or messenger. Just as he
entered, a little girl who was turning hand-
springs, struck against Ra-bun'-ta, and both tum-
bled in a heap on the floor. ' ' Wa-Wa ! Ra-
bun'-ta ! " they shouted as' he jumped to his feet,
' ' knocked over by a girl ! Ugh ! Ugh ! "

The little girl was Ma-ta-6-ka or Snowflake,
the daughter of Pow-hat'-an. She was about
eleven years old and not very large for her age.
Her skin was swarthy, her teeth were white as
pearls, and her eyes were black, as was also her
long, straight hair.

Pow-hat'- an looked at her and said, ' ' My
daughter, you have knocked dowii your brother

A Little Indian Princess. 25

with your rough play. That is not girls' play.
Why will you be such a pocahontas?"

" Po-ca-hon'-tas ! " laughed the Indians, "Ugh!
Ugh! Po-ca-hon'-tas."

This word means tom-boy, and the Indians
thought this so good a name that ever after, Ma-ta-
6-ka, the Httle princess, was called Po-ca-hon'-tas.

When Ra-bun'-ta got his breath, he said,
"I have news! The white captain is caught!"

Then there was great excitement; the chil-
dren and the squaws drew near, the warriors,
and all were eager to know how the "white
captain" was captured. While Ra-bun'-ta is tell-
ing them about it, you may like to hear some-
thing of this prisoner.

A short time before, some white men came
over from England and wished to start a colony,
or town, in this new county. White men had
visited this part of the new world occasionally
but only the Indians were living here.

But these white men who came here to live
did not like to work. They hoped to grow rich
by finding gold.

One man who was with them was Captain
John Smith. He had always led a wild hfe.

26 Stories of Indian Chieftains,

When he was a school boy he longed to be a
sailor, and sold books to get enough money to
go to sea.

He became at one time a sailor, and at an-
other, a slave. Then he was shipwrecked and
afterwards he came to the new world, where, in
1607, he helped the English to start a colony at
Jamestown, Virginia. (Find this place on the map.)

The Colonists had a very hard time and often
suffered for food. The Indians, who lived near,
had plenty of corn, and Captain Smith gave
them trinkets for corn.

One day he and several companions were
sailing lip the Little Chickahominy river, looking
for the Pacific ocean. They thought that Amer-
ica was only a narrow strip of land, and never
dreamed that the Pacific ocean was three thou-
sand miles away.

The captain left two men to take care of
the boat and he explored the country back some
distance from the river. While he was plung-
ing through the thick woods, he saw, in the
distance, some Indians.

He tried to hide behind a tree, but seeing
that he was discovered, he fled. He was chased

A Little Indian Princess. 27

to a swamp where, sinking into the mud, he
was caught.

He feared the Indians would put him to
death at once, so he demanded to see their
chief. He interested them by showing a pocket
compass. It was a wonder to them. They could
see the needle move, but they did not dare to
touch it. They thought it was something magical.

The captain found that the Indians were plan-
ning to attack Jamestown. He told them of the
muskets and cannon- they had at Jamestown, by
which whole armies could be blown into the air.

At last he persuaded them to take a message
to Jamestown, and he wrote a note on a leaf of
his pocketbook. He told his people to show the
Indians their muskets and cannon, and to send
him some things.

The messengers came back terrified, and
brought the things for which he had written.
This was very wonderful to these Indians. They
could not understand how the leaf could speak
to the people in Jamestown.

The captain was taken around to the differ-
ent tribes, and at last reached the village of
the chief of all the tribes — Pow-hat'-an.

28 Stories of Indian Ciiief tains.

He was led to the chief, who was seated on
a raised platform, dressed in clothes made of
raccoon skins, wearing a crown of red feathers
on his head. Beside him was his daughter, the
little Po-ca-hon'-tas.

Then came his trial before the chief, and he
was condemned to die. It is said that Po-ca-
hon-tas saved his life.

The story of how he was saved is told by
an English writer, as follows:

PO-CA-HON-TAS.
Wearied arm and broken sword

Wage in main the desperate fight,
Around him press a countless horde.

He is but a single knight.
Hark ! a cry of triumph shrill

Through the wilderness resounds,

As, with twenty bleeding wounds.
Sinks the warrior, fighting still.
Now they heap the funeral pyre,

And the torch of death they light;
Ah ! 'tis hard to die by fire !

Who will shield the captive knight ?
Around the stake with fiendish crj'

Wheel and dance the savage crowd;

Cold the victim's mien and proud.
And his breast is bared to die.

A Little Indian ^Princess. 29

Wbo will shield the fearless heart?

Who avert the murderous blade ?
From the throng- with sudden start,

See, there springs an Indian maid;
Quick she stands before the knight :

"Loose the chain, unbind the ring!

I am daughter of the king
And I claim the Indians' right!"

Dauntlessly aside she flings

Lifted axe and thirsty knife;

Fondly to his heart she clings,

And her bosom guards his life !

In the woods of Pow-hat-an,

Still 'tis told by Indian fires
How a daughter of their sires,

Saved a captive Englishman.

We do not know positively that this story is
true, but we do know that the captain and the
little girl became great friends. He made bells,
beads, and toys for her, and bows and arrows
for Pow-hat'-an.

At last Captain Smith was allowed to return
home, and two Indians went with him who were"
to bring back, in exchange, two cannons and a
grindstone. When they found how heavy the
cannons and grindstone were, they gave up the

3© Stories of Indian Chieftains.

task of taking them home, and took instead,
many trinkets of different kinds, and some' cloth.

After this Captain Smith visited Pow-hat'-an
often, and Po-ca-hon'- tas was sometimes allowed to
go to Jamestown with him. To the dusky liftle
princess of the wilderness it was a wonderful
place. She played with the English children,
and often brought her friends presents of venison
or corn.

Captain Newport came to Jamestown, from
England, and he wished to exchange toys for
corn. He was afraid to go among the Indians,
and so Captain Smith was sent with twenty men.

They were welcomed by two hundred Indians,
and a feast was given in their honor. They re-
ported to Captain Newport how they had been
received. The next day both captains went to
see the Indians.

Captain Newport wished to buy corn of Pow-
hat'-an.

"Show me what you have," said he, "and
perhaps I will take some."

Captain Newport showed all of his presents,
and Pow-hat'-an selecting what he wished, gave
about half as much corn as the captaip expected.

A Little Indian Princess. 3r

After a little Captain Smith took out of his
pocket some toys, also a string of blue beads.
Pow-hat'-an fixed his eyes on the beads, and
finally said he would like to have them.

Captain Smith seemed unwilling to part with
them. ' ' For, " said he, ' ' They are very precious.
Are they not the color of the sky ? They are only
to be worn by the greatest kings in the world.''

Pow-hat'-an was now more eager than ever,
and offered a boat-load of corn. After some
hesitation Captain Smith accepted it.

For a time the Indians and the white set-
tlers were very friendly, but, by and by, the
Indians became afraid that the white men wished
to drive them from their hunting grounds. Sev-
eral times they tried to attack Jamestown and to
capture the "great captain," but each time he
was warned by his little friend, Po-ca-hon'-tas,
and escaped.

One dark, winter night — when Captain Smith
had come to Powhat'-an — to buy provisions, he
was waiting in the woods for the return of the
chief. As he sat there in the darkness, he heard
the twigs cracking in the bushes near him. He
raised his gun to protect himself.

32 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

Instead of a stalwart Indian coming out of
the shadows, there came creeping toward him
his httle faithful Po-ca-hon'-tas.

In a whisper she said, ' ' Go away. They will
kill you. Do hurry away."

Captain Smith whispered back, "Brave little
girl, I'll go. But take this." And he drew from
his pocket a string of beads.

"No, I cannot take," replied the maid, "In-
dians see it; they kill me."

Then she slipped away as quietly as she
came, and the captain returned to Jamestown.

He became governor of the town, but his
enemies, after a time, succeeded in having him
recalled to England.

After ■ Captain Smith left the colony, Pow-
hat'-an became unfriendly, and would not allow
his daughter to visit Jamestown. The white peo-
ple were afraid to go outside of the town, for
the Indians had already killed many of their
number.

The colony was having a very hard time,
with little food and hostile Indians on every
hand. Help came at last, and a new governor
also.

A Little Indian Princess. 33

Captain Argall, a sea captain, thought he
had a fine plan. If they could capture Po ca-
hon-tas, perhaps her father, to recover his
daughter, might make peace and become friendly
again.

They succeeded in stealing the young prin-
cess, and took her to Jamestown. Here she was
kept for a year, but she was well treated by the
people.

She was by this time a graceful girl of eight-
een, and John Rolfe, a fine young Englishman,
fell in love with her and wished to marry her.

Po-ca-hon'-tas was taught about the church and
the Christian religion, and was baptized, receiv-
ing the name of Rebecca, In the little church
in Jamestown, in 16 14, she became the wife of
John Rolfe. Pow-hat-an consented to the mar-
riage, and kept peace with the colony until his
death.

Rolfe took his young wife to England, and
as the daughter of ah Indian Empeiror, she was
treated with great respect, and was known as
the "Lady Rebecca."

She soon learned the customs and manners
of the court, and her pleasing ways and kind

34 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains,

heart won for her many friends. She became a
general favorite and was much beloved by the
king and queen.

"A forest child amid the flowers at play,

Her raven locks in strange profusion flowing,
A sweet, wild girl, with eye of earnest ray.

And olive cheek, at each emotion glowing;
Yet, whether in her gladsome frolic leaping,

Or 'neath the green wood shade unconscious sleep-
ing,
Or with light oar her pinnace rowing.

Still, like the eaglet on its new. fledged wing,
Her spirit-glance bespoke the daughter of a king.

Sam-0-set and Squan-tum.

SAMOSET AND SQUANTUM.

IN THE spring of the year 162 1, an Indian wai
rior was roaming through the forests in wha
is now Eastern Massachusetts. He was ta!
and straight as an arrow. His face, arm
ind legs were painted red, and his hair wa
itraight and black.

It was Sam-o-set, chief of a tribe whose villag
vas distant not more than a days' journey. H
lad heard of the white people and he was o
lis way to visit them.

These white people were the Pilgrims, wh
lad left England many years before, and settle
n Holland where they could worship God i
heir own way. But they found that their chi
iren were growing up like the Dutch childre
vith whom they associated. This they did nc
ike, so they decided to come to the new world
vhich Columbus had discovered one hundred an
wenty-eight years before.

They set sail in a ship called the Mayflowei

36 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

coast of New England in December, 1620 They
landed on Plymouth Rock, and it was as dreary
and cheerless a place for a home as you can well
imagine. The drifty sands, the moaning pine
trees, and the freezing blasts that swept across
the bay were their only welcome.

Landing of the Pilgrims.

The. breaking- waves dash'd high
On a stern and rock-bound coast,

And the woods against a stormy sky
Their giant branches toss'd;

And the heavy night hung dark

The hills and waters o'er,
When a band of exiles moor'd their bark

On the wild New England shore.

Not as the conqueror comes.

They, the true-hearted, came;
Not with the roll of the stirring drums,
And the trumpet that sings of fame;

Not as the flying come,

In silence and in fear; —
They shook the depths of the desert gloom

With their hymns of lofty cheer.

Sam-0-set and Squan-tum. 37

Amidst the storm they sang,

And the stars heard and the sea;

And the sounding aisles of the dim -woods rang
To the anthem of the free!

The ocean eagle soar'd

From his nest by the white wave's foam;
And the rocking pines of the forest roar'd —

This was their welcome home!

There were men with hoary hair

Amidst that pilgrim band; —
Why had they come to wither there,

Away from their childhood's land?

There was woman's fearless eye,

Lit by her deep love's truth;
There was manhood's brow serenely high;

And the fiery heart of youth.

What sought they thus afar? —

Bright jewels of the mine?
The wealth of seas, the spoils of war? —

They sought a faith's pure shrine!

Ay, call it holy ground.

The soil where first they trod.

They have left unstain'd what there they found —

Freedom to worship God.

—Mrs. Hemans.

38

Stories of Indian CIv'eftaii

ins.

These brave people built their homes close
together, and named the little village Plymouth.
They were not received by the natives ver)'
kindly, for it was near this place that a Spanish
captain had carried off several Indians as slaves
a few years before.

On a pleasant March morning, in 162 1, Sam-
o-set entered the village. The Pilgrims seized
their muskets, but Sam-o-set went fearlessly for-
ward, and surprised them by calling out, ' ' Wel-
come, Englishmen ! Welcome ! "

Sam-0-set and Squan-tum, 39

The Pilgrims were delighted to find an Indian
who could talk English, for they wished to know
something of their neighbors.

Sam-o-set told them that the land around
Plymouth belonged to no one; that a terrible
plague had desolated the coast four years be-
fore, and none of the tribe remained. He also
told them that some of the Indians living on
Cape Cod were very hostile to all white people,
because some of their people had been kidnapped
and sold into slavery.

Sam o-set was then shown through the village.
He met Governor Carver, and the fiery little
captain of the colony, Miles Standish, and Elder
Brewster, and John Alden. Their houses were
vejy interesting to him, with their windows of
oiled paper, and their great open fireplaces, ex-
tending across one side of the room.

Besides the fireplace, in one of these homes,
was a wooden cradle which attracted the Indian's
attention. He walked up to it to see what it was,
when the mother ran, in great terror, and caught
her baby in her arms. Sam-o-set looked at it
with wonder, for it did not much resemble the
little Indian papoose.

40 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

At length he called for something to eat.
Had he waited until dinner time, the Colonists
would, no doubt, have invited him to eat with
them, but you must remember that an Indian
eats when he is hungry and has no regular
time for his meals.

Sam-o-set was much pleased with all he saw,
and when night came he was not ready to go,
so he just stayed. The Pilgrims did not enjoy
the visit so much as he did, but secretly watched
him through all the night.

To the joy of the Colonists, Sam-o-set went
away the next morning, delighted with his visit
and with the presents he had received. But their
joy was of short duration, for on the following
day he returned bringing five other Indians as
tall and straight, and as gaily decorated as him-
self. '

It was Sunday when these six Indians came
walking into the village, carrying packs of furs,
which they wished to trade for beads and other
trinkets. Since it was the Sabbath the Pilgrims
would not trade with them. They gave them
presents, when all went away, except Sam-o-set,
who remained for several days. One day he

Sam-0-set and Squan-tum. 41

returned from a short journey in the forest bring-
ing Squan-tum with him.

This Indian had been taken captive by the
Spaniards, some years before, and carried away
as a slave. He met, one day, an English mer-
chant, who treated him with the greatest kind-
ness and finally bought his freedom and sent
"hrm track ix) America.

When Squan-tum reached his old home, he
found that all the people of his tribe had died
of a pestilence. He was grateful to the kind
Englishman, who had befriended him, and seemed
to forget the cruel treachery ' of the Spaniard
who stole him away from home and friends.

When Sam-o-set returned^ to his home, Squan-
tum remained. He said he wished to live always
with the "palefaces."

He taught them how to fish and hunt, and
to 'plant corn. They had a very hard time,
and without his help would have suffered still
more.

Squan-tum visited the Indians and told them
about his white friends, and of the wonderful
gunpowder. He also told them that they kept
a pestilence in the same cellar with the gun-

42 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

powder, and that if the Indians were not kind
to them they would turn it loose.

He told the white people about Mas-sa-soit,
who was the great chief of. all the tribes in that
part of the country.

The Pilgrims wished to make friends with
this great sachem, and they sent him an invi-
tation to visit their governor.

In a few days he came. He was a large,
strong Indian, with more paint and more feathers
than any of the others had worn. His glossy
black hair was well oiled and his feathers were
of the brightest colors. He was attended by
twenty warriors.

They marched Indian-file into the village, and
were met by Captain Miles Standish who, to
the music of the fife and drum, escorted them
to a log house where the governor was waiting
to receive them.

The governor first took the chief's hand and
kissed it. The chief then kissed the hand of
the governor. Mas-sa-soit and the Pilgrims made
a treaty in which he promised that his tribe
should never harm the Colonists while he lived.
The council over, Massa-soit returned to his

Sam-0-set and Squan-tum. 43

wigwam, on Mount Hope, which was nearly forty
miles from Plymouth.

The first year was a very hard one for the
Pilgrims. Many of their number died of exposure,
and the crops were poor. But when the next
autumn came they gathered a bountiful harvest.

Governor Bradford said, "God has granted
up peace and plenty. Let us set apart a day
for solemn service and thanksgiving to Him who
hath "poured out upon us such rich blessings."

So they called it "Thanksgiving Day," and
ever since that time we have kept this feast.
The Pilgrims invited Mas sa-soit and his warriors
to spend the day with them.

Such a time as they had getting ready for
this great day ! The men, with their guns,
roamed the forests in search of wild turkeys and
other game; the women baked pork and beans,
and brown bread, and pies and puddings, and
the children — well, they did what they could.

When Thanksgiving Day came, Mas-sa-soit
and a hundred warriors marched in early. They
came for breakfast and intended to stay until
the end of the feast. This was a great day for
both the Colonists and the Indians.

44 • Stories of Indian Chieftains,

Several years passed when one day. news
came to Plymouth that Mas-sa-soit was at the
point of death. Governor Bradford sent Dr.
Winslow and two assistants to attend him.

When Dr. Winslow reached Mount Hope he
found Mas-sa-soit tossing with fever. The little
hut was shut up as tight as a bottle, and the
medicine man and friends were jnakuag a ttmse
that woiild drive a well man distracted.

Mas-sa-soit had become blind from his illness,
and when they told him that his white friends
had come to see him, he said, "I shall never
see them again!"

Dr. Winslow asked all to leave the room.
He then let in the fresh air, made the bed
fresh and clean, and gave the sick chief some
simple medicine. The patient soon fell asleep,
and when he awoke Dr. Winslow had some
nourishing food ready for him.

Mas-sa-j;oit began to improve, and in a few
days he was able to leave his bed. He was
very grateful to Dr. Winslow and declared that
he owed to him his life. .

In after years there was a man in Massa-
chusetts who was a great friend to the Indians.

Sam-0-set and Squan-ium. 45

His name was John Eliot. He started schools
for the Indian children and translated the Bible
into the Indian language.

This latter was a great task and he worked
at it early and late, through summer and winter.
At last he was able to exclaim, "The work is
finished."

No one ever learned so much of the Indians
and their language as Dr. Eliot, and they never
had a more devoted friend.

46 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains.

KING PHILIP.

^WO young Indian braves, one pleasant even-
ing in the long ago, sat before a wigwam.
It was on the side of a little mountain now
known as Mount Hope, in the state of Massa-
chusetts. Looking off to the north they saw the
beautiful hunting grounds of their people; to the
south was Narragansett Bay with its calm waters
dotted with green islands.

The boys were talking of the morrow when
they were to go with their father, Massasoit, to
Plymouth. They had been there oftentimes be-
fore and always enjoyed the visit. But tomor-
row was to have a special interest for them.
They were to receive new* names. They already
had names, to be sure; the older being known as
Wam-sut-ta, and the younger as Po-me-ta-com,
but their father, who admired the English, wished
them to have English names.

Early the next morning they started. The sun
was shining, the birds were singing among the
trees, and flowers were all about them. Massa-

King Philip. 47

soit walked before, followed by Wam-sut-ta, be-
hind whom came Po-me-ta-com.

They journeyed silently, after the manner of
the Indians, not appearing to notice the beauties
around them. On reaching Plymouth they went
at once to the Governor's house to talk with
him about their new names.

The Governor told Massasoit about Alexander
the Great and Philip, two powerful kings who
lived many, many years ago. These two kings
had been victorious in many battles, and had
conquered many nations.

Massasoit admired the two great generals and
was much pleased with their names. He asked
the Governor to name his older son Alexander,
and the younger, Philip. This was done and the
Indians then returned to their wigwam, and every-
thing went on as before for a number of years.

At length Massasoit died and Alexander be-
came the chief of his tribe. He was friendly
to the English until he saw that they were al-
ways trying to buy more land with blankets,
toys, and such things. Then, too, some of the white
men were not honest in their dealings with
the Indians, and this gave Alexander still greater

4^^ Stories of Indian Chieftains,

cause for feeling unfriendly. More and more
white men came to buy land, but they were so
dishonest in business and overbearing in manner
that Alexander did not visit them any more, and
treated them coldly when he met them.

After a time, they heard that Alexander was
preparing for war, and that he was trying to
secure the help of another tribe. A messenger
was sent to Mount Hope to ask him about this,
but he denied it, and agreed to attend the next
meeting of the Court in Plymouth.

When the Court met, Alexander was not there,
and it was learned that he was paying a visit
to another chieftain. The Governor then ordered
Major Winslow to go with his soldiers and bring
the chief to Plymouth.

He was found in a large wigwam where the
warriors and braves were holding a feast, and the
guns were stacked outside. The English seized
the guns and entered the wigwam. The Indians
were surprised at their entrance and did not
know that their guns had been taken.

Major Winslow then asked Alexander to meet
hini outside. The chief rose from his mat and

King Philip. 49

accompanied him. Then the Major said, "I am
ordered to arrest you."

"Why should you arrest me?" asked Alex-
ander, bewildered by such a demand from one
whom he considered his friend.

The Major rephed, "I am ordered to arrest
you for plotting against the English. You must
return with me to Plymouth."

Alexander's eyes flashed with anger and he
replied, "This is an insult which my spirit can-
not bear; I will not submit."

"My orders are to take you to Plymouth,"
answered the Major, "and I shall do it. If you
go peacefully you shall be treated kindly, but if
you resist, I will shoot you on the spot."

Alexander's warriors rushed for their guns, but
discovered, too late, that the Enghsh had seized
them. Not being able to defend their chief
they determined to go with him to Plymouth.

Soon the little procession started. Alexander
was accompanied by his little son and Wetamoo,
his beautiful young wife, who was dressed in a
most fantastic suit of deerskin, embroidered with
beads and porcupine quills.

50 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

The chief was offered a horse, but he pre-
ferred to walk with his family and friends. To
arrest him, — a king — as if he ware a thief! How
great the insult! He walked proudly erect, but so
hot was his anger that a burning fever came on.

When they reached Plymouth, he was well
cared for, but he grew worse rapidly. At last
his warriors begged to be permitted to carry
him home, thinking that if he wer.e free he
might recover.

Leaving Alexander's son as a hostage they
started, bearing him on a litter. Tenderly these
strong warriors bore their sick chieftain through
the forest to his wigwam. At length they
reached the river where their canoes were an-
chored, and gently placing their burden in one
of them they paddled up the stream.

They had gone but a short distance when
they saw that his end was near, and they has-
tily landed. On a grassy mound, in the arms
of his loving wife, Wetamoo, Alexander died.

The warriors charged that the English had
poisoned him, and they resolved to avenge his
death. Wetamoo cried, "They shall bitterly re-
pent this day."

King Philip. 51

Philip now became chief. He was a brave,
proud man, who called himself "King Philip."
He usually wore a red blanket and a coat of
wampurn, the richest known to Indians. On his
feet were moccasins embroidered with tiny shells,
and on his head was a sort of turban, ornamen-
ted with wild turkey feathers of brilliant colors.

King Philip was unhappy because he saw
that the beautiful hunting grounds of his fathers
were now occupied by the white people.

From his own door he could see the smoke
of their villages. He knew that unless the Eng--
lish were driven out his people were doomed to
extinction.

He brooded 'over this danger day and night.
He did not wish to fight the English but at last
he felt that war was his only choice.

He called his people- together and said to
them, "Do you not see that the pale faces are
growing more numerous and powerful every year?
We are daily crowded farther and farther back
from the sea. Some day they will take from us
all of our hunting grounds that now remain."

He talked on until the warriors became more
and more enraged against the English, and de-

52 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

manded that they begin the war at once. But
Phihp was not yet ready, for he wished the help
of other tribes. Many of these joined him and
there followed a terrible war. Villages were
burned, women and children were taken captive,
and many Indians and English fell. To tell you
all about this war would fill this book and manv
more,

Philip's wife and son were taken prisoners
and sent away to be slaves. He said sorrow-
fully, "my heart is broken. Now I. am ready
to die!" He saw his warriors fall about him
like the leaves in autumn. At last, with only a
few followers, he sought refuge in a dismal
swamp, where the poor hunted king was finally
shot down like a wild beast. Thus it was that
"King Philip's War" came to an end and the
last of the Wam-pa-no-a-gos perished.

King Philip. 53

"He saw the cloud ordained to grow
And burst upon his hills in woe;
He saw his people with'ring lie
Beneath the invader's evil eye.
Strange feet were trampling on his father's bones.
At midnight hour he woke to gaze
Upon his. happy cabin's blaze,
And listened to his children's dying groans.
He saw, and maddened at the sight
Gave iis bold bosom to the fight;
To tiger rage his soul was driven,
Mercy was not nor sought, nor given.
The pale face from his lands must fly;
He would be free, or he would die."

54 Stories of Indian C/iieftain»,

THE GREAT TREATY.

ON A BEAUTIFUL morning in the summer
of 1682, while the dew was still glistening
on the meadows and the birds were chant-
ing their morning song, groups of gaily dressed
Indians might have been seen wending their
way to a place where Philadelphia now stands.
They all turned their foot-steps toward an old
elm, whose branches shaded a beautiful spot on
the hill side.

Others were approaching the same elm who

were not Indians. They wore drab clothes and

'broad brimmed hats, and probably seemed as

queer to the Indians, as the Indians did to

them.

The Indians were waiting for the arrival of
the great white chief, William Penn, who was
called by them Onas, which means a quill
or feather. These white people were Quakers.

William Penn was the only son of Admiral
Penn, a rich and fashionable gentlemen who lived
in London. His father gave William a college

The Great Treaty. 55

education, and the desire of the old Admiral's
heart was to make his son a fashionable gentle-
man like himself.

But 'while William was away at college, he
became very much interested in the Quakers.

This grieved his father very much, for the
Quakers were despised and persecuted at that time.

Hoping to cure William of his infatuation, as
he called it, he sent him to France, where his
education was finished. Then he traveled in Italy
and at last returned home. For a while all went
well, but one day William heard Thomas Loe
preach. This was the man who had influenced
him while he was at college.

Hearing him again, he felt that he must join
the Friends, and this he did. When his father
heard of it, he was very angry and refused to
have anything to do with his Quaker son.

Penn suffered many hardships for his faith. He
was arrested and sent to the Tower. But finally
the Duke of York, who was a great friend of the
family, succeeded in getting William out of prison.

Seeing that nothing W9uld change his son's
convictions, the Admiral allowed him to follow his
own course.

56 ■ Stories of Indian Chieftains.

The Quakers were cruelly persecuted in Eng-
land. They were thrown into prison for frivolous
offenses and on false charges, but William did
all he could for them and finally, after the
death of his father, persuaded the king to con-
vey to him some land in America in payment
of a debt which the king owed his father.

The land given him was west of the Delaware
river, and Penn sent some of his Quaker friends
to make a settlement in this new country. He
named the land Pennsylvania, in honor of his
father. The name means Penn's forest.

In 1682 Penn came over to this country.
Before leaving England, the king, Charles II,
asked him if he was not afraid to settle upon
his land in America, which was occupied by
savages.

Penn answered, "I shall treat the Indians as
friends and I intend to buy my land of them. I
shall not be molested."

"Buy the land?" said the king. "Have you
not bought it of me? Was not the whole land
mine?"

"No, your majesty," said Penn, "they have
the first right to their lands."

The Great Treaty. 57

"What," continued the king, "did we not dis-
cover them?"

"Well," said Penn, "just suppose that a canoe
•full of savages should by some accident discover
Great Britain — would you vacate, or fight?"

When Penn reached his people in America
he laid out a city which he called Philadelphia,
a name which means brotherly love. He sent
word to the Indians to meet him near the pro-
posed city, under a large elm tree. So here we
find them waiting for the coming of Onas.

At length he arrives accompanied by a few
Friends. He was unarmed and wore a drab suit,
a broad brimmed hat, and about his waist was
a blue sash. In his hand he carried a roll of
parchment.

As he drew near, the chiefs observed that he
was unarmed, and they threw down their bows
and arrows, and seated themselves on the ground.
The old men sat in a half circle; back of them
were the warriors, then came the braves, squaws,
and children. When they were all seated, the
great chief told Penn that they were ready to
begin.

58 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

"The Great Spirit," began Penn, "who made
all of us, who ruleth the heavens and the earth,
who knows our innermost thoughts, knows that
my friends and I wish to live in peace and
friendship with thee. ' '

After these and other words of kindly greeting
he explained the treaty to them. The Indians
listened attentively and every now and then said
"Ugh! Ugh!" After the treaty was made plain
and. accepted, Penn paid them for the fand and
gave them many presents besides.

He spread the parchment on the ground,
saying that it belonged to both. Then he gave it
to the chief, asking him to keep it carefully that
their children and their children's children might
know of it.

The Indians made long speeches in which
they pledged themselves to live in love with William
Penn and his children as long as "the creeks
and rivers run, and the sun, moon, and stars
shine." Then they gave to Penn a belt on which
were pictures of two persons clasping hands. These
represented Penn and the Chief. This belt is still
preserved in Philadelphia. This treaty was never
broken so long as the Quakers ruled Pennsylvania.

The Great Treaty. 59

After a time Penn wished to buy more land
of the Indians. They said that for a certain
amount of EngUsh goods they would sell as much
as a young man could walk around in a day.

Of course the English chose a young man
who could walk very fast, and the Indians were
astonished at the distance he covered in one day,
and they were very much displeased.

Penn saw this and asked, "What is the mat-
ter?" The Indians replied, "Walker cheated us;
too big walk."

Some of the English declared that it was
a bargain and the Indians ought to stand by it.

Penn smiled and asked the Indians how much
more they wanted?

The Indians named a price and Penn paid
it. Then they all shook hands, and the Indians
went away well pleased.

As you know, many of the early settlers had
trouble with the Indians, but the Quakers al-
ways lived in peace with them".

6o Stories of Indian Chieftains.

"Thou'lt fiud," said the Quaker, "In me and mine.
But friends and brothers to thee and thine,
Who abuse no power and admit no line

'Twixt the red man and the white!"
And bright was the spot where the Quaker came
To leave his hat, his drab, and his name
That will sweetly sound from the trump of fame

Till its final blast shall die.

Father Marquette. 6i

FATHER MARQUETTE.

ONE evening just at sunset over two hun-
dred years ago, there might have been
seen gliding down the beautiful River St.
Lawrence, two bark canoes loaded with furs.

They were approaching a cluster of cabins
built upon the spot where now stands the beau-
tiful city of Montreal. Here these Indians
exchanged their goods for hatchets, knives, kettles,
and other utensils.

The Indians remained here a few days and
when they returned they took with them one
passenger, a French priest, who was known as
Father Marquette. He was a Jesuit priest who
had lived for some time with the Indians in
Canada as their teacher and friend.

He had shared with them their hardships and
discomforts. To live in the beautiful forest
during the long summer days, and later when
the forests were clothed in their autumn beauty,
was not a hardship, but when the forest was

62 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

wrapped in the silence of winter and the freezing
blast swept through the wigwams, life was not
so pleasant.

Not only was the cold hard to bear, but
often the men were not successful in the hunt,
and starvation would stare them in the face.
Father Marquette went hungry with the others,
and strengthened them in many ways to bear
their misfortunes.

He heard that the tribes in the west were
in great need of his help and he felt that it
was his duty to go to them. That is why he
returned in the frail little canoe with the Indians
who had come from the west to sell their furs.

Looking on your maps and tracing this jour-
ney you will see that the distance was long,
and when you remember that they traveled in
a little birch canoe which they pushed through
the water with paddles, you can imagine how
long and tiresome was the way.

When they reached the west end of Lake
Ontario they had to carry their canoe and bag-
gage up the steep ascent to Lake Erie, for
you know that between these two lakes is the
Niagara river and in this river are the wonder-

Father Marquette. 63

ful Falls of Niagara, and the dangerous rapids
above and below the falls.

They paddled the whole length of Lake Erie,
through the Detroit river and Lake St. Clair
and St. Clair river, and far into the north
through Lake Huron. After the long voyage up
this lake they reached the Island of Mackinac
with its forest crowned hills and its many Indian
wigwams.

Father Marquette built his cabin on the main
land across from the island and called the place
St. Ignatius, but it is now known as St. Ignace.
Here he taught the Indians how to live better,
and gathered about him a band of loving helpers.
He was so gentle and kind that the Indians
soon grew to love him as a father. He lived
here in these lonely wilds for three years. He
was told of a great river to the west, and as
he thought of the many tribes along- its banks
who had never heard of the gospel, he deter-
mined to go to them.

In the spring of 1673 the governor of Canada
sent M. Joliet from Quebec to explore the west.
M. Joliet was a fearless man who spoke several
Indian languages. He joined Father Marquette,

64 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

and with five boatmen they left the lonely little
cabin at Mackinac and started on a long jour-
ney to the southwest.

They paddled through Green Bay and into
the Fox river, stopping along the shore at night,
where they made a rude shelter. In front of
it a great fire was built by which they cooked their
supper. After prayers and songs these travelers
wrapped themselves in blankets and lay down
to sleep.

The way was not always smooth, for often
they found rapids in the Fox river, and had to
make their way over sharp stones that cut their
feet while they carried their boat. At last they
could follow the Fox river no further. They
must carry the canoes and baggage across the
country through the deep forest to the Wisconsin
river. This carrying of boats from one lake or
river to another is called a portage.

After sailing down the Wisconsin many miles,
they saw a great flood of water rolling before
them and felt sure that this must be the
great Mississippi, the Father of Waters.

A beautiful scene soon opened before them.
There were sometimes bold bluffs and rocky

Father Marquette. 65

crags on either bank and then they would pass
a rolling prairie bespangled with wild flowers
and now and then a herd of buffalo would be
seen in the distance.

At last they came to a river coming in from
the west which may have been the Des Moines.
They here noticed a trail that seemed to be
well trodden, and Marquette and Joliet decided
to follow it.

They walked about six miles when they came
in sight of a group of wigwams. A number of
warriors were loitering around, smoking, while
the squaws were at work, and the children were
playing with the wolfish looking dogs.

When the Indians saw the strangers there
was much confusion and they gathered in groups
and talked together. At last four old men
started toward Father Marquette and Joliet, wav-
ing the Pipe of Peace. As they drew near, the
Indians saw Marquette in his black robe and
knew him to be a "Black-gown," as the Indians
called a priest.

They had heard of the Black-gowns, and felt
very friendly toward them. Father Marquette
asked: "To what nation do you belong?"

66 Stories of Indian Cliieftains.

"We are the Illinois," replied the Indians,
"and we have brought you our peace pipes to
smoke. We invite you to come to our village;

They soon entered the village. At the door
of the largest wigwam stood an Indian with his
hands raised high above his head, who said:
"How beautiful is • the sun, oh Frenchmen,
when you come to visit us. All our people
welcome you and you shall enter our wigwams
in peace."

Then they entered the home of the chief,
and the principal men of the village followed.
The pipe of peace was passed, speeches were
made, and presents exchanged.

They came out at last and were conducted
to the next village, which was only a short dis-
tance across the fields. The Indians followed all
the way, seeming never to tire of looking at
these pale-faced men.

The chief of this village welcomed them, after
which the pipe of peace was again smoked.
More speeches were made, more presents ex-
changed, and then a feast was given in honor
of the strangers. When night came they were
given a wigwam in which to sleep. The next

Father Marquette. 67

morning they returned to their canoes, followed
by a great crowd of their Indian friends, who
expressed their sorrow that the white men were
going away.

Once more the canoes floated down the river.
They passed the mouth of a river coming in
from the east which we know as the IIHnois.
Farther on they came to the mouth of a large
river flowing in from the west, bringing a great vol-
ume of muddy water. This was the Missouri river.

On, on they went, day after day, and another
large river came in from the east. This river
was called by the Indians, ' ' Wabash, ' ' which
means ' ' beautiful.

The French called it "La Belle Riviere,"
which in their language means "The Beautiful
River." We now call it the Ohio, while the
name Wabash has been given to a river which
flows into the Ohio farther to the east.

They passed many Indian villages and stopped
at several. One day they came to a large village,
and when the Indians saw the canoes, there was
a great commotion. The warriors gathered for
battle. Father Marquette waved the peace pipe
and at last the chief caught sight of it.

68 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

The strangers were then invited to land and
presents were exchanged. Then Father Mar-
quette preached to the Indians.

They stopped only a short time, and then
paddled dowa as far as the Arkansas river.
Here the Indians warned them to go no far-
ther, for there were hostile Indians farther down,
and it was not safe to enter their territory.

They had gone far enough to conclude that the
Mississippi river flowed into the Gulf of Mexico
and they began to return. This was much harder
work than it had been coming down, for now
they had to paddle against the current.

When they reached the mouth of the Illinois
river they left the Mississippi, for the Indians
had told them the route was shorter by the
Illinois than by the Wisconsin river. From the
Illinois river to the Chicago river they carried
their canoes, and down this river they paddled
to where the great city of Chicago now stands.
It was then only a dreary, marshy place where
no one lived.

They entered Lake Michigan, and following,
along the west coast reached the mission on
Green Bay in safety,

Father Marquette, 69

Father Marquette was so fatigued that he
could go no farther. M. JoHet took the
papers and returned to Montreal. On the way
his canoe upset and two of his men and
an Indian boy were drowned, and all his papers
were lost. M. Joliet barely escaped with his life.

Marquette rested at Green Bay trying to
regain his health, but he was very feeble. He
had promised the Illinois Indians that he would
return to them. Next year he set out with two
Frenchmen and a band of Indians.

It took them a rnonth to reach the Chicago
river, for the weather was very stormy. They
started up this river and had gone only a few
miles when Father Marquette was taken very
ill. They built a log hut and spent the winter
in this dreary place.

In March they once more started on their
journey. They carried the canoe to the Des-
Plaines river and floated down this river into
the Illinois. Near where the city of Ottawa
now stands they saw a large Indian village.

These Indians received Father Marquette
with joy, and listened gladly to his teachings.
But the priest was failing fast, and he knew

70 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

that this was his last sickness and he wished to
see Mackinac once more before he died.

They started on their return journey and
everything was done to make the sick priest
comfortable. They made a bed in the canoe
and there he lay day after day looking out over
the water and watching the shore as they glided
along. He was very happy and often- talked to
his companions of the heavenly home to which
he was going.

One evening, after they had landed, he called
his companions to him and thanked them for all
they had done for him and sient messages to his
friends. Then he bade his companions good-night
and told them to, lie down; if he needed them
he would call.

When they awoke the next morning he was
dead. They buried him at this place, but later
the Indians came from Mackinac _ and took his
body back to St. Ignace to its final resting place.

La Salle, the Great Explorer.

71

LA SALLE, THE GREAT EXPLORER.

ON THE banks of the St. Lawrence river,
near the edge of a forest, there stood, many
years ago, a group of Indian tepees or wig-
wams. In one of these Hved Ah-pe-tah a strong
young brave, Ta-na-gool his wife, with little pa-
poose, the baby.

Ah-pe-tah was a great hunter, and he brought
home from the forest more furs than Ta-na-gool
could care for. She was a good squaw and

72 Stories of Indian Ctiiefiains.

could set up the tepee quicker than any other
squaw in the village.

Sometimes, when her work was done, she
would take little papoose down to the river and
sit there listening to the lapping of the water,
and to the softly whispering pine trees over her
head.

Then she would sing to the baby this little
song:

Sleep my warrior,
Sleep my chieftain,

Sleep my little Indian brave —
Lulled by murm'rings
Of the forest,

And the streamlet's lapping wave.
While thy father's flashing arrows

Chase the deer in forest deep,
Rest my warrior.
Rest my chieftain ;

Rest within the arms of sleep.

Sleep my warrior,
Sleep my chieftain.

Sleep my little Indian brave —
Soothed by breathings
Of the pine woods,
. And the cool stream's rippling wave;

La Salle, the Great Explorer. 73

While thy mothers dreamy crooning
Falls like music of wild streams,

Sleep my warrior,

Sleep my . chieftain;
Glide thee to the land of dreams.

One day Ah-pe-tah went to Fort Frontenac,
now called Kingston, which had been built by
the French. He took with him some furs and came
back with a bright new hatchet, two. knives, and
an iron kettle for Ta-na-gool. She was more
than happy over this kettle, for now she could
cook without using hot stones to heat the water
in her wooden pot.

Ah-pe-tah seemed more quiet than usual, and
the next day he told Ta-na-gool that he wanted
her to go on a long journey. Cavalier de La Salle
was going far west and he had asked Ah-pe-tah
to go with him to help paddle the canoes and
hunt along the way. Ta-na-gool could not bear
the thought of it at first. Of course she must
take little papoose, and it would be a long jour-
ney. But she finally consented, as all good
squaws do, and in less than a week the little
family were at the fort ready to start.

74 Stories of Indian Cliieftains.

This was not the first journey of the kind that
La Salle had taken and before starting on this
second trip let us see where he had gone on a
former one.

It was by La Salle's advice that Fort Fron-
tenac had been built, and he wished to explore
the west and find the Mississippi river, which
Father Marquette, had partly explored, and build
forts on its banks, and thus secure the country
to France.

He had built a large sail boat which he called
the Griffin, because, as you know, on Lake Erie
they could not get a large boat farther than the
west end of Lake Ontario, on account of the
Niagara Falls.

It was a happy day for La Salle when the
Griffin set sail toward the west. Tliey journeyed
along the northern shore of Lake Erie, and on
the third day entered the Detroit river. Through
Lake St. Clair they passed into the St. Clair
river.

Green prairies and great dark forests with
their lofty pine trees were on either side. The
ship sped along entering Lake Huron, and came,
at last, in sight of Mackinac Island.

La Salle, the Great Explorer. 75

The Indians had seen white men before, but
never such a gaily dressed visitor as La Salle,
with his scarlet cloak trimmed with gold lace.
But the greatest wonder to them was the "great
wooden canoe with its white wings."

They did not remain long at Mackinac but
entered Lake Michigan and coasted along the
shore, stopping to exchange knives, kettles, boots,
beads, blankets, tobacco, and pipes for the choice
furs which the India'ns had collected. At length
La Salle had procured so large a load of furs
that he sent the Grififin back to Fort Frontenac
with them and, taking some Indians with him in
his canoes, they paddled along the eastern shore
of Lake Michigan. Reaching the mouth of the
St. Joseph's river he built a fort, and was joined
by Lieutenant Tonty, his faithful friend and com-
panion, who had traveled overland. (Trace their
routes on the map.)

Following a trail through the woods they
came to the Kankakee river. They passed through
a low marshy country, the river being filled with
rushes, and rejoiced when their canoes glided
out into the deeper water of the Illinois river.

^d Stories of Indian Chieftains.

They passed a rocky cliff, hanging over the
water, with stunted evergreens growing on its sides
and top. This place we know now as Starved
Rock, Near this they found a deserted Indian
village.

They paddled on down the Illinois river until
they reached a place where it widens out into a
lake, now called Peoria Lake. Here they dis-
covered an Indian encampment, and here La
Salle, smoked the pipe of peace with the chief.

La Salle built a fort at this place. News
came to La Salle that his great load of furs
had been lost in a storm. Some of his men
had deserted 'and his soul was very sorrowful.
He gave to the fort the name of Crevecoeur,
which means broken hearted.

Leaving most of his men at the fort, he
started back on foot with five men, in the mid-
dle of winter, for Fort Frontenac.

Can you imagine how long and hard that
journey was — through snow and rain, and gloomy
forests filled with wild animals and untold dan-
gers? He finally reached the fort in safety, much
disappointed and discouraged. But he. had some
good friends who came to his assistance and im-

La Salle, the Great Explorer. 77

mediately he began to prepare to return with
suppHes to those waiting for him at Crevecoeur.
It was now that Ah-pe-tah was engaged to ac-
company him, Ta-na-gool was to help the other
squaws in cooking the food for the party.

It was a still sultry morning in summer when
Ah-pe-tah and Ta-na-gool, with little papoose
strapped tight to mother's back, stepped into a
gayly decorated canoe, one of a little fleet .of
eight or ten, in which were twenty -three French-
men, eight Indians, ten squaws, and three children.

The canoes pushed off on their long journey
of nearly fifteen hundred miles, honored with a
salute of heavy guns from the fort, and amidst
the cheers of a great crowd of Indians and white
people who stood on the shore.

All day they skimmed along over the still
waters of the lake. At night they stopped, built
a fire, prepared their supper of corn bread and
venison, and then rolled themselves in their
blankets and slept till day-break.

. Early the next morning they were off, slowly
working their way to the west. All the days
were not sunny and pleasant. There would come
storms sometimes, when they would paddle hur-

78 Stories of Indian Ciiieftains,

riedly to the shore, and draw their canoes upon
the bank — turning them over their goods to pro-
tect them from the rain.

They would build a shelter of boughs for
themselves and a large campfire by which to dry
their clothing.

After three weeks they arrived at the west end
of Lake Ontario, where the Indians carried the
canoes and the white men the supplies, around
the Niagara Falls to Lake Erie.

Reaching Lake Erie they once more entered
their canoes and followed the same course that
-La Salle had taken on his first journey. At
last they arrived at the fort at the mouth of
the St. Joseph's river after a very stormy pass-
age on Lake Michigan.

They remained here for six weeks to gather
more supplies for the long journey down the
Mississippi, which river La Salle had determined
to explore.

In December they crossed Lake Michigan en-
tering the Chicago river where Chicago now
stands. The stream was frozen, and they ma,de
sledges on which they dragged the canoes and
provisions up the river.

La Salle, the Great Explorer. 79

They crossed from the Chicago river to the
Des Plaines and then sailed down the lUinois.
The snow was piled in drifts and the wind swept
across the bleak prairies in chilling blasts. When
they reached Lake Peoria what was La Salle's
grief and disappointment to find that Fort Cre-
vecoeur had been destroyed and none of his
friends remained. He determined to continue his
journey at once to the Mississippi.

The Illinois river was clear of ice, but
they found the Mississippi so full of it as to en-
danger their safety, and they were compelled to
wait for a week before continuing their journey.

They soon came to the mouth of the Mis-
souri where a great flood of muddy water comes
in from the west.

They passed a number of Indian villages on
the banks of the great river, and everywhere
they were kindly welcomed. At one large village
La Salle set up a cross in the center of the vil-
lage, by which he formally took possession of the
country in the name of France and Christianity.

At the mouth of the Ohio they stopped to
gather more supplies before entering an unknown
country.

8o Stories of Indian Ctiieftains.

After this they had many sunny days, a smooth
current, and the banks were covered with laurel
blossoms and wild flowers.

" Day after day passed without any startling
incident, as they glided down the river, until one
day they saw on the bank a few Indians who,
upon catching sight of the French, fled hastily
from view. But almost immediately the war
whoop was heard, and the loud noise of the tom-
• toms.

The channel of the river was very narrow at
this point and there was. a dense foresf on either
bank. The Indians lined up to attack them and
were so near that they could easily send their
arrows into the boats as they passed.

La Salle ordered all boats to stop. Then he
sent one forward bearing the peace pipe. This
was received with a shower of arrows.

Fortunately these all fell short. Another canoe
was sent containing four Indians.- This was
greeted in the same manner.

Then La Salle directed the canoes to press
along the opposite shore with as great speed as
possible. The Indians yelled, and ran up and
down the opposite bank, sending their arrows

La Salle, the Great Explorer. 8i

after them, but the distance across was too great
and the whole fleet swept by unharmed.

It was a long journey to the delta of the
Mississippi, where they found that the river di-
vides into three branches. They landed at this
point and camped in the midst of a tropical for-
est. The next morning La Salle divided his fleet
into three parts, one to descend each branch.
They were all to come together at the mouth of
the middle branch when they reached the gulf.

As they neared the ocean the water became
salt, and at last they were gladdened by the
sight of the Gulf of Mexico. The object of the
trip had been gained. These were the first white
people to explore the Father of Waters to its
mouth.

A short distance from the mouth of the river
they set up a ston.e column and a wooden cross.
On the column were these words: "Louis the
Great, King of France and Navarre, reigns; the
9th of April, 1682."

All of the men sang hymns, and La Salle in
a loud voice proclaimed, "In the name of Louis
the Great, King of France, I do take possession
of this country of Louisiana." The people

La Salle, the Great Explorer. 83

shouted, "Long Live the King," and fired their
guns.

As food was becoming scarce, it was neces-
sary to begin the return journey at once. On
the thirteenth day, as they were slowly ascend-
ing the great river, they saw a great smoke in
the distance, to the north. It was here that the
Indians had attacked them on their way down
the stream.

The canoes paddled cautiously along beneath
the dense shade of the trees on the bank. They
encountered four squaws and hastened to capture
them to hold as hostages. La Salle ordered all
canoes ashore, a little below the village, on the
opposite bank. When the Indians caught sight
of them there arose a great clamor.

In a short time a fleet of large wooden boats
was seen crossing the river and in them were
plumed and painted warriors, armed with clubs,
and bows and arrows. La Salle and some of
his companions went in a canoe to meet them.
He stood up and waved the calumet, or peace
pipe, but this only called forth louder yells and
a shower of arrows.

84 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

La Salle saw that there was only one thing
to do. The Indian chief was standing in his boat
giving orders. La Salle, too, gave an order.
There was a flash and a puff of smoke, and the
chief fell dead among his warriors.

The Indians were now terrified. They had
never seen a gun, and they did not know what
had killed their chief. They thought it must be
the evil spirit. They turned and fled.

La Salle knew that he was not yet safe,
for he must pass the village. As they were
rowing against the current they could not move
rapidly. He loaded one of the captive women
with gifts and sent her home to tell the tribe
that they wished for friendship, and if they would
bring corn the other prisoners would be set free.

The next morning the Indians came and made
a treaty of peace and invited the strangers to
their village. La Salle did not trust them en-
tirely, but he visited them.

Toward evening he returned to his camp and
ordered a careful watch to be kept through the
night. A little before sunrise a noise was heard
in the cane-brake, and in an instant all were in
arms. The morning was dark and gloomy, the

La Salle, the Great Explorer. 85

wind moaned through the forest, and soon a
heavy shower of rain set in.

Then the Indian war-cry resounded, and out
of the darkness the arrows came whizzing through
the air. The Frenchmen had thrown up fortifica-
tions during the night and were safe behind them.
All was perfectly still.

It soon grew lighter and then the French be-
began to reply by shots, and in a few minutes
ten Indians had fallen. This caused a panic. The
Indians fled and La Salle pursued them to the
village and destroyed their boats. His men urged
him to burn the village but La Salle refused to
do this, not wishing to inflict needless injury
upon the women and children.

The gloomy day was followed by a night of
darkness and rain, and in the gloom La Salle's
party silently entered their canoes and hurried
away. "When the next day dawned they were
far beyond the reach of this hostile tribe.

Now they were exposed to the warm sun by
day, the chilly dews of the evening, and the fre-
quent showers of rain. This was neither pleasant
nor healthful. La Salle became ill, and when he

86 Stories of Indian Cliieftains.

reached the mouth of the Ohio river he was too
sick to go further.

They went into camp here and all did what
they could for their leader's comfort. But with no
physician, no medicine, and no delicate food, he
did not improve rapidly. He lay upon his mat
day after day, heeding not the beauties of the
prairie and forest all about him.

Lieutenant Tonty went on with most of the
company with the news, but Ah-pe-tah and his
family remained with La Salle.

For more than a month they stayed here
while the fever almost burned the life out of the
brave explorer. At last he began to improve and
then the journey home was resumed. They traveled
only in the cool of the morning, resting during
the heat of the day in the shelter of a grove,
and then paddled on a little way in the evening.

There we will leave them, gliding along past
green hills, forests, and broad prairies, with the
hope that so great, and brave, and good a man
as La Salle, may be spared to complete the
great work he has undertaken of exploring the
valley of the great Mississippi, the ' ' Father of
Waters."

Pontiac, the Friend of His Race. 87

PONTIAC, THE FRIEND OF HIS RACE.

^^^ l^^y do you come upon my land? This
\^l all belongs to my people. What do the

white people want? They have much
land already and they have no right to come
upon mine."

The speaker was Pontiac, an Indian chief,
who stood before Major Rogers with folded arms
and with the air of a king. Major Rogers was
an English soldier who was sent into the part
of the country ruled by Pontiac to drive out the
French. The war between England and France
had closed and the English had won.

Major Rogers replied: "The English are your
friends and they wish to drive out the French
who try to make us enemies."

After a time he succeeded in making Pontiac
understand that he asked for help in marching
through the country which belonged to the
Indians. Then he gave presents to Pontiac who
said, "I shall stand in the path you are walking
till morning."

88 Stories of Indian Chieftains,

. i

On retiring for the night he asked the English-
man if he wanted anything which he could
provide. Major Rogers replied that they were
in need of provisions and would pay for what-
ever the Indians would bring. They brought bags
of parched corn and venison. -Before they parted
Pontiac gave permission to the English to pass
through his country unharmed. He said that as
long as he was treated well he would allow the
white people to settle in his country, but if they
forgot that he was king he would shut up the
way. He would be treated as a king or an em-
peror by all who came into his country.

Major Rogers tried to persuade him to sub-
mit to the King of England, but Pontiac replied,
"Never will I acknowledge him ruler over me; I
am willing to call him UnCle, and send him
presents." The major went on his way.

As time passed Pontiac began to act less
friendly. Just what changed his feelings no one
knew.

But it is probable that he began to see dan-
ger for his people from the English. He knew
that they had conquered the French and were bet-
ter warriors than the Indians.

Pontiac, the Friend of His Race. 89

He, like King Philip, saw that unless some-
thing was done soon his people were lost. He
planned to unite the neighboring tribes in a com-
bined attack upon all of the British forts.

He called a meeting of his people, the Otta-
was, and told them of the danger they were in,
and of his plan. Then he sent messengers to
other tribes carrying the war belt of wampum,
and the tomahawk stained red, as a sign of war.
Wherever they appeared the chiefs and warriors
promised their aid. Then began their war dances,
and soon the woods were full of painted warriors.

In the spring Pontiac called a meeting of the
different tribes on a little river near Detroit. Band
after band came. Each day the number of ponies,
squaws, warriors, children, and dogs increased.
The wigwams were set up and the meadows
seemed full of red men.

On the day set for the conference a runner
passed through the camp calling the warriors to
council. Then from the wigwams came large
stalwart Indians, old warriors and young braves,
some wrapped in gay blankets, and all painted
fantastically with their heads adorned with
feathers.

90 Stories of Indian Ciiieftains.

They seated themselves upon the grass, row
within row, until there was a solid half circle or
more of Indians. Pipes were passed and then
Pontiac rose and walked to the center. He looked
around upon his expectant audience and began
his speech.

He told of the danger that threatened them
and that the King of France would send his
canoes to help them fight the English. You
should remember that the French had always
treated the Indians well, and had sent mission-
aries among them. The Indians loved and trusted
these missionaries.

He then told them a story:

"A chief once wished to learn wisdom from
the Master of Life, and, because he did not
know where to find him, he went away to dream
and to fast. After several days of solitude it
came to him that he should rise and take his
gun and some food and start on a journey.

"For eight days he traveled, and on the even-
ing of the eighth day he stopped beside a brook
to prepare his evening meal. Before him was the
clear stream, and just behind him a deep dark for-
est with three avenues leading he knew not whither.

Pontiac, the Friend of His Race. 91

"He wondered at these avenues, and what
astonished him still more was to see that as it
grew dark, the avenues grew more visible than
before. He tried to rest, but he could not, and
he started to explore these paths.

"He entered the largest but had gone only a
short distance when a bright flame sprang out of
the ground. He stopped, greatly frightened, and
hurried back to the entrance.

"Then he tried the second path and the same
thing happened as before. This time he fled in
terror to the entrance of the third path. He
traveled in this for a day, and at nightfall came
out of the forest, and beheld, a great mountain
of dazzling whiteness before him.

"This mountain was so steep that the chief
despaired of being able to climb it. While he
gazed upon it, uncertain what to do, there ap-
peared suddenly before him a beautiful squaw
clothed in white who said to him, 'Go to the
foot of the mountain, throw away your gun,
wash in the stream that flows at its base, and
then you will be prepared to stand before the
Master of Life.'

92 Stories of Indian Ciiieftains,

"The chief did as he was bidden and then
began to ascend the niountain by a path he had
not before seen. After great toil and fatigue he
reached the summit. Here he saw a beautiful
plain and on it were three great villages. He
approached the largest and a man gayly attired
took him by the hand and led him to the Great
Spirit who was surrounded by much splendor.

"The Great Spirit said, 'I am the maker of
heaven and earth, trees, lakes, rivers, and of all
things. The land on which you live I made for
you. Why do you allow the white man to dwell
among you? Throw away the guns and blankets
the white man has given you and return to the
bows and arrows of your fathers. You have drunk
the poison fire-water which turns you into fools.
Throw it away. These English have come to rob
you of your hunting grounds and you must lift
the hatchet against them. If you wipe them from
the face of the earth you will win my favor and
be happy and prosperous.'

"The chief then returned to his people and
told all that he had seen."

As Pontiac finished this story grunts of ap-
proval were heard on all sides. The warriors

Pontiac, the Friend of His Race, 93

were now eager for war. Pontiac revealed
to them his plans for capturing the unhappy lit-
tle garrison at Detroit. A squaw, who was a
friend of one of the officers at the fort, did not
wish to have her white friends killed, and the next
day, when she went to take the officer a pair
of moccasins he had ordered, she told him of the
plot.

"On the next day Pontiac would come with
sixty warriors, each of whom would be armed
with a gun cut short, and hidden under his blanket.
Pontiac would demand a council, and after his
speech he would offer the peace belt of wampum
holding it up in a certain way, which she described.
This was to be the signal for the assault and
the Indians would then fall upon the officers and
kill them before an alarm could be given."

That night the number of guards was doubled
and the major walked the rampart looking
into the gloom of night for any signs of his
expected visitors. The wind would sometimes
waft to his ear a wild song, as the warriors
danced about the distant camp-fires.

The next morning the Indians came with Pon-
tiac at their head, followed by sixty warriors, all

94 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains.

in Indian file. They were wrapped in colored
blankets and above some of the blankets rose
heads adorned with eagle's feathers, others with
raven's wings, others having only the fluttering
scalp-lock, while others, still, had straight black
hair falling about their painted faces.

On entering the garrison Pontiac saw the sol-
diers were all in arms; from this he guessed that
his plot had been discovered, but he made no
sign.

They marched to the council house where the
officers were waiting for them, each with a sword
at his side and a pair of pistols in his belt.

"Why do I see so many of my father's young
men standing in the street with their guns?"
asked Pontiac.

"The soldiers are under arms for exercise and
training," replied the major.

After the warriors were seated on mats which
had been placed for them, Pontiac arose. Hold-
ing in his hand the belt of wampum which was
to give the signal, he said that he had come to
smoke the pipe of peace. Once he raised the
belt as if about to give the signal, but at that
moment a sudden clash of arms sounded from

Pontiac, the Friend of His Race. 95

the passage and a drum rolled with deafening
din.

Pontiac stood amazed and silent. He did not
know what to think and he soon sat down.

The major then replied that they were friends
and would protect Pontiac and his people so long
as he treated the white people right, but should
they fail to do this, he would regard them as
enemies. The council then broke up and the
Indians returned to camp.

Although Pontiac failed in this scheme, he
was successful in many others. On an island be-
tween Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, called
Mackinac, there was a fort called Michilimackinac.
Around it was a stockade and it was defended
by one hundred men.

Pontiac had a plan for capturing this fort.
You may remember how the Indians play ball,
and what a noisy game it is, as described in the
Stories of Indian Children. This game was called
by these Indians bag-gat-i-way. A large number
of Indians came to the fort to trade and near it
Pontiac planned to have a great game of ball.

The officers from the fort came to watch the
game. This was just what Pontiac expected them

96 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains.

to do. During the game the ball was tossed
into the. stockade, as if by accident. A few In-
dians rushed in to secure it. This was repeated
a number of times, the Indians running in and.
out shouting and laughing. But finally they made
a rush toward the gate, snatching their hatchets
from the squaws who stood watching the game
with the hatchets hidden under their blankets.
Seventy soldiers were killed and the fort was cap-
tured by the Indians.

Pontiac needed money to carry^ on his war.
He issued bills or notes in which he promised
to pay a certain amount of corn, furs, or veni-
son at' the close of the war. These bills were
very peculiar. They were made of birch bark
and on each one was Pontiac's coat of arms or
totem. After the war he redeemed these as he
had promised to do.

Pontiac gained a number of forts, but after a
time he concluded that the British had too many
soldiers and guns for him, and seeing no chance
of driving the white man from his country, he
at last made a treaty of peace.

After this he seemed to be a friend of the
English, but down in his heart he harbored a

Pontiao, the Friend of His Race. 97

feeling of hostility toward the people who were
ever . driving his race from their homes.

At one time, when he was making a speech
to the Illinois Indians, he condemned in strong
terms the acts of the English. A spy who was
at his side, in a fit of anger, drew his knife and
stabbed him to the heart. Thus ended the life
of a brave and wise and patriotic Indian chieftain.

gS Stories of Indian Chieftains.

LOGAN, THE WHITE MAN'S FRIEND.

^^BOUT the time that our country was try-
^i ing to free herself from England, there
lived in western Pennsylvania, a kind old
Indian chief who had one son. This son was
named Logan, after a white man who was a
great friend of his father.

After the father died, Logan became the chief
of his tribe and he was a very wise and kind
ruler. ^He renioved with his tribe to Ohio.

Pontiac visited this chief and wished him to
join in his war against the white people, but
Logan refused. Instead of encouraging strife he
tried in every way to keep peace between the
white man and the Indian. He became known
among the other tribes as "the friend of the
white man." He would never fight, and the
only part that he ever took in war was in mak-
ing peace. Never was kindness rewarded with
such base ingratitude.

Logan, the White Man's Friend. 99

For several years the Indians and white men
Hved happily in Ohio, but when a report spread
that a number of horses had been stolen from
the white people living on the Ohio river, the
Indians were charged with the theft.

A white man by the name of Cresap wished
to go up the river and punish the Indians, He
organized a small company and marched to the
village. He found, however, that the Indian war-
riors out-numbered his company. A squaw came
to meet him and told him it would not be safe
to go to the village, for the warriors were very
angry.

Then they invited some of the Indians to
cross the river and drink rum with them. The
Indians accepted the invitation, only to be killed
in a most barbarous manner by Cresap's company.
Even the squaw who had warned them of dan-
ger was brutally murdered.

These same white people at another time
saw a canoe coming down the river with one
Indian warrior and .several women and children
in it. They hid on the bank and when the
Indians landed, brutally killed them all. This
was the family of Logan, consisting of his wife

ioo . Stories of Indian Ciiieftains.

and children, and his brother and sister; — all of
his kindred.

He now became a changed man. He could
no longer be a friend to the people who had
robbed him of his all. A war began that was
led by Logan and a chief called Cornstalk.

Many white settlers fled, some were taken
prisoners, and a reign of terror followed.

At Point Pleasant on the Great Kanawha
River a battle was fought which began a little
after sunrise and lasted until darkness put an
end to the conflict. All through the battle could
be heard the voice of Cornstalk calling to his
warriors: "Be strong! Be strong!".

Many were killed and wounded on both sides.
The next day the Indians proposed terms, but.
Logan refused to have anything to do with those
who asked for peace. In former times how differ-
ent! Then he had always been the first to ad-
vise for peace, but now he lived only for revenge.

The white people while trying to make a
treaty, were not satisfied without Logan's con-
sent to it. They sent a messenger to him,
since he would not attend the meeting, and this
is the answer he sent back to them:

Logan, the White Man's Friend. loi

"I appeal to any white man to say if ever
he entered Logan's lodge hungry and he gave
him no meat, if he ever came cold and naked
and he clothed him not.

"During the course of the last long and
bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin,
an advocate for peace. Such was my love for
the whites, that my countrymen pointed, as they
passed, and said, 'Logan is the friend of white
man.' I had even thought to live with you — but
for the injuries of one man, Colonel Cresap.
Last spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, he ■
murdered all the relations of Logan,, not even
sparing my women and children.

"There runs not a drop of my blood in the
veins of any living creature. This called on me
for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed
many. I have fully glutted my vengeance. For
my people, I rejoice at the promise of peace.
But do not harbor a thought that this is the joy
of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not
turn on his heel to save his life. Who is there
to mourn for Logan? Not one!"

I02 Stones of Indian Chieftains.

"One left of all my tribe; •
Nor man, nor child, nor thing- of liviug birth ; —
No! not the dog that watched my household

hearth.
Escaped that night of blood upon our plains;
All perished. I alone am left on earth!
To whom nor relative nor blood remains;
No! not a kindred drop that runs in human veins."

/I Shooting Star, Tecumseh.

103

A SHOOTING STAR, TECUMSEH.

ffi?

i

N THE year 1771, in an Indian village near
the Miami river in Ohio, there lived an In-
dian boy named Tecumseh, which means "a
shooting star." He spent his time swimming
in the river during the warm days, playing with
the other boys, or shooting with his bow and
arrow. In the winter he set traps to catch small
animals in the forest, and sometimes he went
hunting with his older brother. This brother
wished to make a great warrior of him.

I04 _ Stories of Indian Chieftains.

The boy soon became a leader among his
playmates, and as he grew older he showed great
courage and skill both in hunting and in war.

As he sat with the warriors and braves about
the camp fire, he heard many stories of the white
people, and of their greed for the Indians' land.
He heard them tell of the broken-hearted Indians
who had been driven away from their homes,
and of the unjilst treatment of the whites.

Every year Tecumseh became stronger, and
a better hunter. He had piercing black eyes
and always wore a plain dress of deer skin, not
being fond of gaudy colors.

Tecumseh soon became the best hunter of
his tribe. Three young braves once came to
him and boasted that they could kill as many
deer in three days as he could. He accepted
the challenge, and after three days they all
returned. The three braves had killed only twelve,
but Tecumseh brought in more than twice as
many.

He was very generous and gave most of the
game he captured to those not able to hunt for them-
selves. If there was an old Indian whose wig-
wam needed mending, it was Tecumseh who

A Shooting Star, Tecumseh. 105

patched it. If there was a widow in need it
was Tecumseh who laid food at her door. A
traveler from Kentucky stopped one night at
the home of a white settler near Tecumseh's
village. He intended to explore the lands. He was
very much surprised to learn that Indians were
so near. While they were talking the door
suddenly opened and in walked the dignified
Tecumseh. The Kentuckian was frightened and
Tecumseh noticed it, and looking at him a mo-
,ment said in a contemptuous tone, "A big baby!
A big baby!"

Tecumseh's heart was filled with love for his
people. He had, for years, been watching the
advance of the white men, and it was with
troubled eyes that he saw his own people com-
pelled to withdraw farther and farther from their
former hunting grounds.

The more he thought about it the clearer he
saw that soon the white people would fill the
country, and the Indians, once so powerful, would
be driven out. •

At this time there were just seventeen states,
and Tecumseh thought if it was a good thing
for the white people to join together to help

io6 Stories of Indian Ctiieftains.

each other, it would be a good thing for all
the Indian tribes to unite for the protection of
their homes.

He began to prepare for a great war in
which all of the Indians would join together and
drive the white people out of the country.

He and his brother visited the tribes in the
north, the west, and the south, traveling many
miles over hills and valleys, and through the
dark and lonely forests.

In the south he called a great council, and"
told them he had come from the far distant
Great Lakes to urge them to go on the war
path and drive the white man either into the
sea, or to the land from which he came. Te-
cumseh's brother had heard from the English that
a comet would appear soon. He said, "You
will see the arm of Tecumseh like a pale fire
stretched out in the heaven, and at that time
the war will begm.

One chief was friendly to the white people
and would not promise, but shook his head.
Tecumseh tried hard to persuade him, but all
in vain.

A Shooting Star, Tecumseh. 107

At last he said: "Your blood is white. You
do riot mean to fight. I know the reason.
You do not beheve the Great Spirit sent me.
You shall believe it. I will go straight to Detroit;
when I get there, I will stamp my foot on the
ground and shake down every house in your
village.

Sure enough the comet appeared, and the
Indians said, "It is Tecumseh's arm." Then
there came an earthquake and the Indians ran
out of their huts crying:

"Tecumseh is at Detroit; we ■ feel the stamp
of his foot." Then they all prepared to help in
the war.

Tecumseh's home was -no longer on the Miami
river, but far to the west at Tippecanoe, on a
branch of the Wabash. When he returned
home he found that several tribes had signed a
treaty giving to the government a large tract of
land. He was filled with rage, and declared
that he would never allow it to be surveyed.

General Harrison was in command of the
white soldiers, and hearing of Tecumseh's anger
sent for him to come and present his claim.
So one hot day in August, 181 1, Tecumseh, with

io8 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

several hundred warriors went to Vincennes, which
was the headquarters of the army.

He made a long speech, and after it, found
himself without a seat. Observing the neglect,
the General directed a chair , to be placed for
him.

"Your father," said the interpreter, "requests
you to take a chair."

"My father!" replied the chief. "The sun is
my father, and the earth is my mother, I will
repose on her bosom." And he proudly drew his
blanket about him and sat down on the ground.

The meeting was very exciting, for the In-
dians were angry and determined. It looked for
a while as though war might break out at any
moment. The next day the Indians were some-
what calmer, but General Harrison saw that
war would come in spite of all his efforts
to prevent it.

Tecumseh hurried away to see other tribes,
leaving bundles of red sticks at each village,
telling them to throw away one every day until
they were all gone. Then they were to fall upon
the white people and kill them all.

// Shooting Star, Tecumseh, log

General Harrison concluded that if war must
come, he would begin it himself. He marched
to Tippecanoe and, after a hard battle with the
Indians, succeeded in driving them away and cap-
turing the village.

When Tecumseh returned, he found his home
in ashes, his warriors driven away or killed, and
his brother whom he had left in command,
defeated and missing.

Tecumseh now gave up all hope. In 1812
the United States had another war with England
and Tecumseh entered the English army. He
fought under General Proctor, who was a very
cruel soldier.

One day a number of Harrison's men had
been captured, and some of the Indians were tor-
turing them and soon would have killed them.
Tecumseh seeing what was going on, sprang from
his horse and rushed upon these Indians and
threw them to the ground.

''Why do you allow this?" he asked indig-
nantly, of General Proctor.

"Your Indians cannot be controlled/' said
General Proctor,

I lo Stories of Indian Chieftains.

"Begone!" said Tecumseh, "you are unfit to
command; go and put on petticoats."

One day there came a heavy battle on the
river Thames in Canada. In the thick of the
fight, General Proctor ran away, but the brave
Tecumseh died there fighting for his adopted
country, the foe of the United States.

So ended the life of this great chief.

Indian Names.*

Ye say they all have passed away,

"~That noble race and brave;
That their light canoes have vanished

Prom ofE the crested wave;
That 'mid the forests where they roamed

There rings no hunter's shouts;
But their name is on your .waters,

Ye may not wash it out.

'Tis where Ontario's billow

Like Ocean's surge is curled;
Where strong Niagara's thunders, wake

The echo of the world;
Where red Missouri bringeth

Eich tribute from the west
And Rappahannock sweetly sleeps

On green Virginia's breast.

A Shooting Star, Tecumseh. 1 1 1

Ye say their cone like cabins

That clustered o'er the vale,
Have fled away like withered leaves

Before the autumn gale:
But their memory liveth on your hills,

Their baptism on your shore.
Your everlasting rivers speak

Their dialect of yore.

Old Massachusetts wears it

Within her lordly crown.
And broad Ohio bears it

Amid her young renown;
Connecticut hath wreathed it

Where her quiet foliage waves.
And bold Kentucky breathes it hoarse

Through all her ancient caves.

Wachusett hides its lingering voice

Within his rocky heart,
And Alleghany graves its tone

Throughout his lofty chart;
Monadnock on his forehead hoar

Doth seal the sacred trust;
Your mountains build their monument,

Though ye destroy their dust.

*Mauy of our geographical names are from the Indian language, here
are a few of our commonest: Illinois, after a tribe of Indians; Ohio, means
beautiful river; Kentucky, at the head of the river; Niagara, the neck; Mis-
sissippi, great water; Missouri, muddy water; Massachusetts, the great hill
country: Idaho, suurisa mountain; Michigan, big lake; Chesapeake, great
water; Dakota, after a tribe; Minnesota, cloudy water.

1 1 2 Stories of- Indian Ctiieftains.

SA-GO-YE-WAT-HA, RED JACKET.

vN THE shore of a beautiful lake in western
New York in the year 1790, there was a
large gathering of Indians and a few white
people. The Indians were seated on the ground
in a semi-circle, one row in front of another.
Their picturesque costumes, their feathers and
painted faces, made a picture never to be for-
gotten.

This meeting, or council, was to consider
whether a certain piece of land should be sold
to the white people. The treaty was agreed
upon and all that remained to be done was the
signing.

But look! One Indian chief is rising to
speak. He draws his blanket about him and
looks into the faces before him. Everything is
silent; the rustling of the leaves over head is
the only sound that breaks the stillness.

This Indian was Red Jacket, so named from
a red jacket which was given him when he was

Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, Red Jacket. 113

young, and of which he was very proud. After
a long pause Red Jacket began his speech.

He told of the happiness of his people before
the white man came, and of the way they lived.
Then he told how the white man had wronged
the Indians, and he told it so plainly and vividly
that soon his hearers were melted to tears, or
filled with anger.

The white men were now alarmed. Here
they were in the Indian country, surrounded by
more than ten times their number. A word from
the Indian chiefs would mean immediate attack.

At this moment a chief by the name of
Farmer's Brother, seeing the danger, rose and
spoke of the eloquent speech of Red Jacket;
then in quiet tone he showed why it was best
to sign the treaty, and in a very short time it
was done and the council closed.

Red Jacket was not born a chief, but he was
a fine talker and was made leader of the tribe
on that account. After the death of Cornplanter
he become chief of the Seneca nation.

Some one once called Red Jacket a warrior,
whereupon he turned suddenly and indignantly

.114 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains.

cried: "A warrior! I am no warrior. I am an
orator. I was born an orator."

He was a great enemy of the white people.
He saw clearly what would happen if his tribe
tried to be like them. They would adopt the
bad habits of the white people and in a short
time they would be ruined.

All his life he talked against them. He
wished the Indians to be left alone to live as
they had always lived — hunting in the forest and
fishing in the streams. He tried to keep his
people as they were before the white people
came, and not being able to do this, he op-
posed everything that would tend to civilize them.

He resented every intrusion, disliked teach-
ers and missionaries, and about these he said:
"Brothers, great number of Black Coats, (mis-
sionaries) have been among the Indians. With
sweet voices and smiling faces they offered to
teach their religion.

"Our brethren in the east listened to them;
they turned from the religion of their fathers
and took up the religion of the white people.
What good has it done? Are they more
friendly one to another than we? No.

Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, Red- Jacket. 115

"Brothers! they are a divided people. We
are united. They quarrel about religion; we live
in love and friendship. Besides they drink
strong waters, and they have learned how to
cheat and how to practice all the other vices
of the white people without imitating their
virtues.

"White man! if you wish us well, keep
away. Do not disturb us. ' '

At one time he was introduced to Lafayette
who was visiting in this country. Lafayette
spoke a few words in the Indian language, which
delighted Red Jacket. The Indian then asked
if he remembered a council which he attended
a number of years before.

"And where," asked Lafayette, "is the
young warrior who so eloquently opposed burying
the tomahawk?"

"He is before you," proudly replied Red
Jacket. "Ah," he added, with a sad air, and
uncovering his bald head, ' ' time has made bad
work with me, but .you, I see," noticing the
general's wig, "you have hair enough left to
cover your head.' '

iifj Stories of Indian Ctiieftains.

Red Jacket also met Washington, who gave
him a silver medal which he wore ever after.
Washington is said to have named him "The
Flower of the Forest."

Here is a part of a speech he once made:

"Brothers, at the treaty held for the pur-
chase of our lands the white men, with sweet
voices and smiling faces, told us they loved us,
and they would not cheat us.

"When we go on the other side of the lake
the king's children (the English) tell us your
people will cheat us. These things puzzle our
heads, and we believe that the Indians must
take care of themselves and not trust either in
your people or in the king's children.

' ' Brothers, our seats were once large and
vours wery small. You have now become a great
people and we have scarcely a place left to
spread our blankets. True; and soon our
graves will be all we shall retain of our once
ample hunting grounds.

"Our people's strength is wasted; their count-
less warriors dead; their forest laid low, and
their burial places upturned by the plow-share.

Sa-gp-ye-wat-ha, Red Jacket. 117

' ' There was a time when the war cry of a
Pow-he-te, or a Delaware, struck terror to the heart
of the pale face, but now the Seminole is sing-
ing his last song."

Red Jacket had cause to fear the white
man's habits. His people had learned to. drink
the dreadful fire-water, and in his old age even
he, that proud old orator, was not strong enough
to resist it.

He became very intemperate and • at one time
his tribe was so ashamed of his drunken habits
that they had a meeting to condemn him. This
aroused his old spirit and he made a speech
closing with these words:

" Ah, it grieves my heart when I look around
and see the situation of my people; in the old
times united and powerful, now divided and
feeble. I mourn for my nation. When I am
gone to the other world, when the Great Spirit
calls me away, who among my people can take
my place? Many years have I guided this
nation. I will not consent to be trampled under
foot as long as I can stand upon my feet."

The tribe restored Red Jacket to his old
position after this.

ii8 Stories of Indian Ctiieftaihs.

He had a large family of children but he
saw one after another laid in the grave until not
ojie was left, and he came to think that they
were taken away because of his own intemperance.

A lady who had known of his large family
once asked after his children, not knowing that
they were all dead, and the old chief replied
sorrowfully :

"Red Jacket was once- a great man and in
favor with the Great Spirit. He was a lofty
pine among the smaller trees of the forest, but,
after years of glory, he degraded himself by
drinking the fire-water of the white man. The
Great Spirit looked upon him in anger, and his
lightning has stripped the pine of its branches. ' '

He visited New York and several other large
cities, where he received much attention. He
understood the English language but would never
use it.

His home was a log cabin in a lonely spot
near Buffalo, and here in January, 1830, he
died.

"And so he died;

That pagan chief, the last strong banner staff

Of the poor Senecas."

Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, Red Jacket. HQ

His funeral was attended by a great many
Indians and Americans. His followers remem-
bered those words of his, "Who shall take my
place among my people?"

They thought of their former glory and com'^
pared it with the present, and tHosa stoical
warriors wept like children. Well might they
weep, for before them, still in death, lay the
proud form of the "Last of the Senecas."

Not far from the entrance to the beautiful
Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo rests the body
of this famous chief. A beautiful monument
marks his last resting place, and beside him lie
a few of his followers.

On the monument are these words:

Sa-Go-Ye-Nat-Ha

(He keeps them awake)

Died at Buffalo Creek,

Jan. 20, 1830, aged 78 years.

"When I am gone and my warnings are no
longer heeded, the craft and avarice of the
white man will prevail. My heart fails me
when I think of my people so soon to be scat-
tered and forgotten.

I20 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains.

Our Aborigines.

I heard the forests as they cried

Unto the valleys green,
"Where is the red browed hunter race,

Who humbled 'mid these dewy glades,
The red deer's antlered crown;

Or, soaring at his highest noon,
Struck the strong eagle down?"

Then in the zephyr's voice replied

Those vales, so meekly blest,
"They reared their dwellings on our side,

Their corn upon our breast:
A blight came down, a blast swept by,

The cone-roof 'd cabins fell;.
And where -that exil'd people fled,

It is not ours to tell."

Niagara, jf the mountains gray,

Demanded from his throne,
And old Ontario's billowy lake.

Prolonged the thunder tone:
"The chieftain's at our side who stood

Upon our christening day, —
Who gave the glorious names we bear,—

Our sponsors, where are the}'^?"

Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, Red Jacket. 121

And then the fair Ohio charged

Her many sisters dear,
"Showme, once more, those stately forms

Within my mirror clear."
But they replied, "Tall barks of pride

Do cleave our waters blue,
And strong keels ride our farthest tide.

But -Where's their light canoe?"

The farmer drove his plough-share deep,
"Whose bones are these?"' said he;
"I find them where my browsing sheep
Roam o'er the upward lea."
But starting sudden to his path,
A phantom seemed to glide,
A plume of feathers on his head,
A quiver at his side.

He pointed to the rifled grave,

Then raised his hand on high,
And with a hollow groan, invoked

The vengeance of the sky.
O'er the broad realm so long his own.

Gazed with despairing ray,
Then on the mist that slowly curled,

Pled mournfully away.

—By Mrs. Sigourney

BLACK HAWK,

Black Hawk. Ma-ka-tac-mish-kia-kiak. 123

BLACK HAWK, MA-KA-TAC-MISH-KIA-KIAK

VHERE THE Rock River empties its
waters into the great Mississippi, there
• once stood an Indian village. It had been
there for over a hundred years and was the
home of a chief named Black Hawk. Around
the village were well tilled cornfields, and their
wigwams or lodges were as dear to these
people as our homes are to us.

The white settlements were not far away and
very often disputes arose between the Iftdians
and the. whites. Sometimes the Indians were to
blame, but just as often was the white man in,
the wrong.

In the year 1831 the government called a
council of Indians, and, under a chief named
Keokuk, they signed a treaty agreeing to move
west of the Mississippi River. This included
Black Hawk's tribe. He was very much opposed
to this and did all he could to keep his people
from giving up their homes and their lands. He

124 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

declared that the whites had made the Indian
chiefs drunk when they signed this treaty.

They remained in the village until autumn,
when they moved to their hunting grounds.

While they were gone the white settlers came
in, and upon their return in the spring, the
Indians found their wigwams occupied. This
was more than they could bear. They de-
termined to drive the intruders away, but the
white people asked to live with them and this
was finally agreed to. But the white men
took the best of the land and imposed upon the
Indians in many ways.

There came a time when the white people
ordered the Indians to leave the village. Black
Hawk refused to go.

The government then sent soldiers to compel
them to go, and a war began which is known
as "The Black Hawk War." It ended in the
capture of many of Black Hawk's warriors and
the surrender of Black Hawk and his followers.
He made a speech after he was taken prisoner;
the following is a part of it:

"You have taken me prisoner with all my
warriors. I fought hard. But your guns were

Black Hawk, Ma-ka-tac-mish-kia-kiak. 125

well aimed. The bullets flew like birds in the .air
and whizzed by our ears like the wind through
the trees in winter,

"My warriors fell around me; it began to look
dismal. I saw my evil day at hand. The sun
rose dim on us in the morning, and at night it
sunk in a dark cloud and looked like a ball of
fire. That was the last sun that shone on Black
Hawk. His heart is dead and no longer beats
quick in his bosom. He is now a prisoner of the
white men. They will do with him as they like.

"But he can endure torture and is not afraid of
death. He is no coward. Black Hawk is an Indian.

"He has done nothing for which an Indian
ought to be ashamed. He has fought for his
country and to protect the women and children
against the white men. You came year after
year to threaten us and take away our land.
White men do not scalp the head, but they do
worse — they poison the heart.

"Farewell, my nation! Black Hawk tried to
save you and avenge your wrongs. He has been
taken prisoner and his plans are stopped. He
can do no more. He is near his end. His sun
is setting and will rise no more."

126 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains.

The government allowed all of the prisoners
to go free except Black Hawk and another chief,
and a few leading Indians who were held as hos-
tages. These were to remain prisoners so long
as the president thought best.

They were taken to visit some of the large
cities of the United States, for the President
thought that if they should see the wealth and
strength of the white men they would never more,
take up arms against this government.

They were shown the places of interest in the
different cities and taken to the navy yard where
the great ships of war were built.

Black Hawk exclaimed: "I once thought I
could conquer the whites; my heart grew bitter
and my hands strong. I dug up the tomahawk
and led my warriors on to fight. • But the white
men were mighty."

While visiting at one of the forts he made
friends with a Colonel Eustis and on leaving him
he said :

"Brother; I have come on my own part and
on behalf of my companions, to bid you fare-
well. Our Great Father has at length been
pleased to permit us to return to our kindred.

Black Hawk, Ma-ka-tac-mish-kia-kiak. 127

We have buried the hatchet and the sound of
our rifles will hereafter bring death only to the
deer and buffalo.

"Brother; you have treated the red men
with kindness. Your squaws have made them
presents and you have given them food to eat
and drink.

"The memory of your friendship will remain
till the Great Spirit says it is time for Black
Hawk to sing his death song.

"Brother; your houses are as numerous as
the leaves upon the trees, and your young war-
riors are like the sands upon the shore of the big
lake which rolls before us.

"The red man has but few houses and few
warriors; but the red man has a heart which
throbs as warmly as the heart of his white
brother. May the Great Spirit bless you and
your children. Farewell."

It was for this war with Black Hawk that our
great President, Abraham Lincoln, when a young
man, enlisted in the army.

Black Hawk died among his own people in
what is now the state of Iowa, in' 1838, five
years after he had been released from prison.

128 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

OURAY AND CHIPETA.

BOUT thirty years ago, in a train speed-
ing eastward from Colorado, were two in-
teresting passengers. One was Ouray, the
chief of the Ute Indians, and the other
was Chipeta, his wife. They were dressed in
their best clothes, which were made of antelope
skins gaily trimmed with colored porcupine quills.

They had come from their home in the south-
western part of Colorado, and were on their way
to Washington. Ouray had been called there on
a sad errand; but before you can understand
what that was, you must know something of the
life of this great chief.

He lived on a large ranch, where he kept
great herds of cattle and horses. He had an
adobe house with a stair-case in it, which was
something quite fine for an Indian home.

On the floor were carpets, stoves were in the
different rooms, lamps oh the tables, and knives,
forks, and dishes in the cupboard. He also kept

Ouray and Chipeta. 129

his horse and carriage, which were presented to
him by the Governor of Colorado. From his
ranch trails led far across the valleys to the
villages of his people, the Utes.

Ouray was called the "friend of the white
man," and tried to keep peace between his peo-
ple and the settlers. At one time, when he and
several Indians were returning from a trip to
Denver, they stopped to camp for the night.
One of his men, wishing to build a fire, was
about to use some wood belonging to a white
man.

Ouray reminded him that he must not tres-
pass upon that land. The stubborn Indian replied
that he wanted a fire and was going to take that
wood. The chief told him if he did he would
shoot him. The Indian replied that two could
play at that. Then both started for their guns;
but Ouray was the quicker, and, seizing his gun,
fired at the unruly Indian and killed him.

The Ute Indians felt bitter toward the white
people, who had compelled them to give up much
of their land. Many times Ouray was compelled
to use all his power to restrain his fiery warriors.

130 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

At an agency, the place where our govern-
ment gives supplies to the Indians, some of the
Utes became angry, killed the agent, and took
his family prisoners. This caused great excite-
ment in Colorado, and the white people threat-
ened to drive the Utes out of the state.

When Ouray heard of this terrible tragedy
he was much distressed. He saw that his peo-
ple would not be permitted to remain long in
Colorado. He had always been light-hearted and
cheerful, but after this he seldom smiled.

He sent three chiefs with some white men to
order the rebellious Indians to cease their fight-
ing and surrender their prisoners. The Indians
obeyed, and the prisoners were taken to Ouray's
home. Here the kind Chipeta did everything she
could to make them forget their sufferings.

The government saw that something must be
done with the Indians, and it was thought best
to move them out of Colorado into Utah. But
before doings this they wished to talk with Ouray,
and this is why we find him and Chipeta on the
train bound for Washington.

He talked very intelligently to the men he
met in Washington, and told them that it was

Ouray and Chipeta. 131

useless for the Indian to struggle against civiliza-
tion; they must either adopt the customs of the
white man or perish. But he said that this was
very hard for his people to believe.

He was an interesting man, and was respected
by all 'who met him. He was a model in his
personal habits — never using tobacco, hating whis-
ky, and never using coarse or profane language,
but was a respected member of the Methodist
Church.

While in Washington he was entertained in
some of the most beautiful homes in the national
capital. In one of them, he and Chipeta were
very much pleased with a large crystal chandelier
which hung from the ceiling. In a very modest
way they asked where such a chandelier could
be bought and what it would cost, thinking it
would be a handsome ornament for their home
in distant Colorado.

Not long after their return home, this noble
chief fell sick and died, leaving his loved wife,
Chipeta, alone. She had no children to comfort
her, for their only child, a little boy, had been
stolen from them by a hostile band of Indians
many years before.

132 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

Nestled among the mountains in southwestern
Colorado is a little city named after this states-
man chief, and it is sometimes called "Ouray the
Beautiful. ' ' This name is well suited to it, for no
spot could have greater attractions. Great moun-
tains are round about it, and, as the sun touches
them here and there, they seem to take different
colors and tower up higher than before in their
beauty.

In one of the canons of Colorado, called the
Black Canon, is a. beautiful water fall gushing out
of the great rocks which looks like a bridal veil,
so delicate and white is it; and this fall beats
the name of the faithful Chipeta.

Cornplanter, Gar-yan-wah-gah. 133

CORNPLANTER, GAR-YAN-WAH-GAH.

^., S YOU read the name of this chapter, you
^^' are perhaps thinking of the machine used

in planting corn. But this story is about
an Indian, a brave Seneca chief, whose
name was Cornplanter.

He lived at the entrance of a deep forest,
where he heard the cries of wild beasts at night,
and the singing of birds by day. He had fought
against our own George Washington. When Eng-
land sent over General Braddock, to fight against
the French and Indians, Washington was an offi-
cer in Braddock's army.

Cornplanter coolly directed his braves to pick
off officers during a battle. This they did,
while Cornplanter, time and again, aimed his rifle
at Washington and missed him every time. A.t last
he said, "That man's life is charmed." Washing-
ton was the only officer of high rank who escaped
that day.

Cornplanter afterwards became very much at-
tached to the Americans. He seemed to feel that

134 Stories of Indian Cfiieftains.

they were "the lords of the land," and that soon
he and his people must pass away.

He always used his influence to keep peace
between his people and the Americans.

Today, near the city of Warren, Pennsylvania,
the traveler may see the body of land which was
given to him by the state in consideration of his
efforts to keep peace between the Indians and
the white men.

His home was a low hous'e which covered
much ground and had a broad piazza in front. It
stood in the midst of thirteen hundred acres.

At one time the state thought that Cornplanter
ought to pay taxes, just as the white people do
for the land they own. But the old chief refused.

The sheriff attempted to force him' to pay it.
As he and his soldiers came near the home of
Cornplanter, ^ they decided to send first a few
men with the sheriff to talk with him.

When they came near the house they saw
a number of Indians lounging about, and at the
side of the house were a hundred or more
rifles. They wondered what this meant.

When the old chief came out and the sheriff
demanded that he pay the taxes, Cornplanter

Cornplanter, Gar-yan-wah-gah. 135

refused, and pointing to the rifles said in a
quiet tone, "An Indian for each rifle."

The sheriff said no more, but turned about
and hastened home without the money.

Cornplanter lived to be one hundred and
four years old. He liked to talk of Washington,
and always spoke of him as "The great and
good white father."

You will often hear and read of the terrible
sufferings of the white people in Wyoming and
other portions of Pennsylvania. Homes were
burned and whole families were massacred by
Cornplanter and his warriors, who were then
allies of the French and inveterate foes of the
Americans. But after peace was declared be-
tween the French and the English, Cornplanter
and Red Jacket became the friends of the
Americans, and sought to preserve peace between
them and the Indians. This great chief was
the first temperance lecturer in America. He
strove earnestly to protect his people from the
ravages of intemperance which he saw would
eventually ruin them. But in this he was un-
successful. Even the great orator and leader,
Red Jacket, fell a victim to it.

136 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

INDIANS OF TO-DAY.

S>OU have read in this book of the Indians
who lived on the Atlantic shore years ago,
and of those who roamed over the eastern
half of our country. With each: year that
has passed since then the Indians have been
crowded farther from their former home until
now there are very few east of the Mississippi
river.

They can no longer hunt where they please,
but must live on tracts of land set apart by the
government. These tracts of land are called In-
dian reservations. Some of them are large and
some of them are small, the size depending upon
the number of Indians in the tribe.

The reservations are in charge of agents, and
many of these are doing all they can to civilize
the Indians; while some of them are very dis-
honest, robbing those in their care and treating
them unfairly.

Indians of To-day. 137

Most of the Western Indians live in their te-
pees or wigwams. They are given log houses by
the government, but they prefer their wigwams,
sometimes using these log houses for their stables.

There was a lady who was a great friend of
a certain Indian and helped him in many^ ways.
He was so fond of her that he told her he was
going to give her a colt which he was training.

She wished to do something for him that
would be a benefit to all of his family, so she
gave him the material to build a small house.. He
was very much pleased arid began the work at
once.

The lady left the town for several, months.
When she returned she thought of her Indian
friend, and wishing to see how he was getting
along with his house, she drove out to visit him.

What was her surprise on nearing the home
to see the new house beside the tepee, and, pro-
jecting from, the window of the house, was the
head of the favorite colt. He was living in the
family mansion.

If you could spend a day with an Indian fam-
ily you would see the mother up with the sun,
carrying water and- wood and getting the break-

138 Stories of Indian Chieftains.

fast ready. The children first eat their breakfast
and then wash their faces and comb their hair
— sometimes.

An oilcloth is spread on the floor in some
cases, and on it are placed tin plates and cups
and a few other dishes. The food is generally
dried boiled-corn, fried meat, coffee, and bread
made with baking powder, which is cooked in-
grease as we cook doughnuts.

Each one helps himself at the meal, and after
it is finished the children wash the dishes. The
father sits outside the tepee with his knees touch-
ing his chin, dressed in a gorgeous blanket, smok-
ing, while the mother goes to her work.

Some of them make beautiful blankets, others
weave mats or make curious bead-work, while
others weave mats of rushes or make simple
dresses for the family. Whenever there is hard
work, like setting up the tepee or cutting wood, it
is usually the squaws who do it, although many
of the braves who have lived among the white
people now help the squaws in this.

The children have gpod times' playing together.
They make play-tepees out of tall stiff weeds,
which they tie together at the top, using a shawl

Indians of To-day, 139

or blanket for the cover. They have dolls made
of corn cobs or wood, and carry them around on
their backs.

It is great fun to "play house," as we call it,
and have the boys for the braves. When a hos-
tile band attacks them they have a sham battle.

At night after the evening's meal, as the twi-
light fades, they gather around the fire and listen
to stories told by the old men and grandmothers,
just as their forefathers had done for many gen-
erations.

There is almost as much difference in Indian
homes as there is in the homes of the white
people. * The customs of those living on differ-
ent reservations are not the same, for some are
much more civilized than others.

On the Tuscarora reservation, near Niagara,
the Indians live very much as white people do.
They have little farms, comfortable houses, and
good barns. They have several churches, a good
school house, and a council house where they
hold their business meetings. Their chief is an
educated man who seeks the best good of his
tribe. The women do very clever bead-work
which they sell to the summer tourists who

140 Stories of Indian Ciiieftains.

visit the Falls of Niagara. You would see them
sitting beside little tables, along the avenues, on
which are displayed the articles which they have
made during the winter.

Among' many of the western tribes it is the
custom for one tribe to make a visit to another.
By the Indians living near the Pacific Ocean this
visit is called a pot-latch, and it lasts for a week
or more. They spend their time in' feasting, danc-
ing, horse racing, and gambling.

You must remember that not all Indians are
living on reservations. Some live in the towns as
the white people do. In Northern Michigan there
is a small town called Cross Village,- . named so
from a large white cross which stands on the bluff,
on the same spot on which Marquette erected "one
a long time ago.

In this village there are very few white peo-
ple, the most of the inhabitants being Indians.
They live in houses, work during the week, a'nd
on the Sabbath attend their church.

There is a school for the children in this
place, and in a village about sixteen miles away
is a boarding school called L'arbre Croche Mission.

Indians of To-day, 141

"Forgotten race, farewell! Your haunts we tread,

Our mighty rivers speak your words of yore,
Our mountains near them on their misty head,

Our sounding cataracts hurl them to the shore;
But on the lake your flashing oar is still,

Hush'd is your hunter's cry on dale and hill,
Your arrow stays the eagle's flight no more;

And ye, like troubled shadows, sink to rest
In unremember'd tombs, un pitied and unblessed."